Image courtesy of the Government of Canada
In 2009, the House of Commons passed a unanimous motion to declare June as National Indigenous History (NIH) Month. NIH Month is an opportunity for Canadians to learn about Indigenous history, cultures, voices, art, heritage and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples in Canada.
Why NIH Month matters to us
Black Diamond Group is a Canadian company that has been engaged in Indigenous relations since its inception. We have a responsibility to advance reconciliation, including economic, cultural and traditional and are excited to celebrate NIH Month.
Learning opportunities: Where to begin
It is important that we all take time to learn about the history and culture of Indigenous peoples in Canada, to further reconciliation and gain perspective on Indigenous worldviews, values and voices.
The Government of Canada Website: We recommend you start by visiting the Government of Canada’s dedicated website, which features a collection of resources you can read, listen to, watch and even activities you can try. Additionally, there are links to several online celebrations taking place, hosted by national Indigenous organizations across the country, which you are invited to attend. The Government of Canada’s site also shares social media handles and hashtags so you can engage in the conversation throughout the month.
Read the TRC Reports: In 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Committee (TRC) published a “Calls to Action” report. The TRC was born out of the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement to facilitate reconciliation with former residential school students, their families, their communities and the Canadian public. Over six years, the TRC travelled across the country, heard from over 6,500 witnesses and hosted seven national events. The country-wide tour helped the TRC publish a report of 94 calls to action which inform the public, the media and the government on applicable strategies to help move toward reconciliation.
Take the Indigenous Canada course: Last year, the University of Alberta teamed up with Coursera to offer a cost-free, 12-lesson Indigenous Canada course that brings students on a journey through important milestones in Indigenous Canadian history. Topics covered include worldviews, the fur trade, treaties, law, residential schooling, colonialism, sovereign lands, Indigenous women, social movements and art. More than 235,000 people have taken the course, which has earned a 4.8-star rating!
Stay tuned
Stay tuned for more Indigenous Relations news, as we share highlights from our Indigenous partnerships!
