In Canada, June is National Indigenous History Month, and June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day. We’re celebrating this month with some special events.
Events at the Library
On June 1, we hosted Lil’wat Nation Elders Clara John and Barry Dan for a workshop, Indigenous Healing Through Smudging. If you’re interested in attending a future Smudging Workshop, email our Program Coordinator, Jeanette Bruce, at jbruce@whistlerlibrary.ca.
On Thursday, June 16 at 6:30 p.m., we’re hosting Dr. Paulette Steeves (Cree-Metis), author of The Indigenous Paleolithic of the Western Hemisphere, for a virtual discussion about her book. Click here to sign up for this virtual event! This program is presented in partnership with the Sea to Sky and Sunshine Coast libraries.
On Sunday, June 26, we’re hosting Lil’wat Nation knowledge keeper Tanina Williams for two storytelling circles. Families with children ages 5 and up can join us at 2 p.m., and there will be a session for adults only at 3:30 p.m. Registration is required for both events – email publicservices@whistlerlibrary.ca to sign up.
Our June Community Book Club pick is Five Little Indians by Michelle Good, which follows five Indigenous teenagers upon their release from residential school. There are two chances to join our discussion: we’ll be meeting in-person on Monday, June 27 at 7 p.m. and on Zoom on Wednesday, June 29 at 7 p.m. Email publicservices@whistlerlibrary.ca to sign up for either session!
Events at the SLCC
We haven’t scheduled any adult programs for June 21, because we would like to encourage library patrons of all ages to visit the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre and engage in the cultural programming they are offering on June 21 and beyond. Here are some of the events we’re excited to attend:
June 21:
- 10 a.m. Ancient Medicine Exhibition Opening
- 12 & 3 p.m. Curator Alison Pascal speaking about the Ancient Medicine Exhibition
- 1 p.m. Performance by Spiritual Warriors
June 23:
- 2 p.m. Ed NoiseCat Pole Awakening Ceremony
July 1:
- 12 p.m. Spo7ez Performance Team
- 4:30 p.m. Drum Circle in Whistler Village
Click here to check out their line-up of events from June 21 to July 3, including live carving, performances, storytelling, and guided tours of the museum.
Year-round Learning
We hope you’ll continue celebrating Indigenous culture after the month of June wraps up! Here are some ideas to further your learning.
- University of Alberta’s Indigenous Canada Massive Open Online Course – this 12-week course is free and available year-round.
- We have offered this course as an in-person, interactive program in the past. Please email Jeanette at jbruce@whistlerlibrary.ca if you’d be interested in participating in a future session!
- University of Toronto’s Aboriginal Worldviews & Education Course – another free, self-paced course; this one is spaced over six weeks.
- Native Land Interactive Map – type in your location to learn about the territories around your home.
And, if you’re a reader, check out our reading recommendations here:
- Indigenous Peoples – Non-fiction reading list
- Indigenous Peoples – Fiction reading list
- Residential Schools reading list
- First Nations Picture Books
How will you be celebrating Indigenous Peoples Day?
Photo credit: Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre
