June 21st is National Indigenous Day

Today is #nationalindigenouspeoplesday

It is a day to celebrate indigenous heritage, cultures and art, but it is also a day for settlers to get educated, give back, and join in solidarity

Appreciating other cultures is important, but it is our responsibility as settlers to do more than take part in celebrations, to learn how Indigenous culture and art have been suppressed / ripped away from Indigenous peoples at the hands of colonizers and how we can build solidarity moving forward.

Along with celebrations, today and everyday make efforts to the movements going on across so-called Canada to uplift Indigenous communities and to fight for indigenous sovereignty, healthy communities and joyful futures!

REPARATIONS

June 21st is a day to recognize and celebrate Indigenous heritage, culture and art. All of these things, that for centuries were stripped away from Indigenous peoples in so-called Canada at the hands of colonizers, are central to expressions of Indigenous joy, love and truths.

For settlers, one of the ways we can show our solidarity is by paying reparations to Indigenous peoples in our own communities. It’s great to  support Indigenous businesses and NGOs, but giving to friends and neighbours without the expectation of getting anything back is also integral to supporting Indigenous joy, art and culture, and healthy communities and futures!

LEARN/LISTEN
Read:
Truth and Reconciliation Commission report
MMIWG report
Decolonization is not a metaphor

Podcasts:
First Stories – Tales from Turtle Island
Media Indigena – Indigenous Current Affairs
Auntie up!
All my relations podcast
Warrior life

SHOW UP/CELEBRATE

Explore Songhees Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration
Where: Victoria’s Inner Harbour Causeway, ship point
When: Wednesday, June 21 3:30 pm

Victoria Native Friendship Centre Garden
Where: 231 Regina Ave, Victoria, BC
When: Wednesday, June 21 10 am – 3:30 pm

FOLLOW/SUPPORT

@decolonizemyself
@unlearningantiindigenousracism
@inclusivecanada
@videavictoria
@indigenousclimateaction
@intersectional environmentalist
@decolonialsolidarity
@decolonizethisplace
@indigenouspeoplesmovement
@braidedwarriors
@raven_trust
@wematterorg