National Indigenous History Month
*Updated June 2024 with additional book recommendations and small businesses we supported
June is National Indigenous History Month in Canada. Itis an opportunity for Canadians to recognize and celebrate the contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people. June 21st is National Indigenous Peoples Day which also falls in line with summer solstice. The summer solstice is the day of the year with the longest light and the Indigenous community would celebrate the arrival of warm weather. It is a day of spiritual significance.
This year we learned more about the Indigenous history and culture through reading books, learning the land by visiting sites and installations and for the first time attended the City of Mississauga – National Indigenous Peoples Event.
These are public site installations of moccasin designs sandblasted into the stone and then painted. The designs are meant to promote public awareness and be placed on significant cultural historic sites. There are two locations that we’ve gone to visit. The site in Toronto is at Trillium Park by Ontario Place. It was a busy time when we checked out the installation. There were cyclists and people passing through with wagons and strollers.
The site which we visit more frequently is Tannery Park in Oakville by the lake. The closest parking lot to the site is the west parking lot at the end of Kerr St. There is an activity for kids to locate 10 moccasin designs at the gathering circle of stones. During our visit there was construction taking place and one side of the stones had a fence up against it.
The boys had the opportunity to learn more about the history of moccasin designs at the National Indigenous Peoples Day event. The Moccasin Identifier Project had a kiosk and activity area where the boys selected a moccasin stencil and painted.
NATIONAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLES EVENT
This year, we attended the National Indigenous Peoples Event at Celebration Square in Mississauga. An all-day event that started at noon. We got there early evening, grabbed a bite to eat and watched Lisa Odjig, World Champion Hoop Dancer and she was mesmerizing! There were some local indigenous businesses at the festival as well. Plenty of people in attendance and there was just a great energy in the air.
SMALL BUSINESSES – as part of my commitment as an ally to the Indigenous community, I’ve taken the time over the last few years following small businesses on social media, visiting local markets speaking to small business owners and promoting their business year round.
ᐋᓃᓐ aaniin – aanin is a Female Indigenous business founded by Chelsee Pettit, an anishinaabe member of aamjiwnaang First Nations. She started her streetwear brand in 2021 and since then has pulled in a community of Indigenous Artists and offers a department store experience. I started following her on social media September 2023 and found out she was a vendor during the holidays and briefly met her and purchased a his and hers toque. I received so many compliments on her merchandise and some of my friends went out and bought toques and scarves. My most recent purchase is a tote bag for me and his and hers pride socks for myself and a friend.
Born in the North Shop – I came across this brand at the Fort York gift shop. They had a section of their shop showcasing Indigenous small businesses. Founded by twin brothers Chris & Greg Mitchell, their inspiration comes from their Mi’kmaq heritage, music exploration and Canadian upbringing. I bought the strawberry scarf and they have other prints available. Tees, toques and hats are also up on their website.
BOOKS – you know I had to come at ya with some book recommendations from the family! From left to right, book recos from the kids, myself ad hubby written by Canadian Authors. And additional links that we check on the regular Indigenous Voices (Non-Fiction) and Canadian Indigenous Resource List.
Click on the book image for link to Indigo website.
Until next time,
Shine Lily XO
This Place
