Indigenous History Month 2021

Join us this June as we acknowledge, learn, and celebrate


Reconciliation Pole, 7idansuu (Edenshaw), James Hart, Haida Hereditary Chief and Master Carver. Photo Credit: Paul H. Joseph / UBC Brand & Marketing

We’d Like to Hear From You!

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Throughout this month, we learn about, recognize, and show appreciation for the countless contributions First Nations, Inuit and Métis people have made in influencing and shaping Canada.

Across the country, Canadians – Indigenous, non-Indigenous and newcomers – honor the unique history, sacrifices, heritage, cultures and diversity of First Nation, Inuit, and Métis peoples in Canada. It is also a time to pay tribute to the strength and depth of present-day Indigenous communities and a time for Canadians, and British Columbians in particular, to contemplate the ongoing work of reconciliation.

Indigenous History Month is a nationally recognized commemorative month:

Learn More


Why Is It Important?

Many Canadians are not well informed regarding the history of Indigenous Peoples and Canada – including the establishment and tragic effects of residential schools and the continuing systemic impact of the Indian Act, and treaties. These acts of the Canadian government must not be forgotten and their consequences must be addressed.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) was launched in 2008 with the aim of learning the truth regarding the Indian Residential School System and its consequences. This laid the foundation for the critically important work of reconciliation. As stated in the UBC Faculty of Medicine Response to the Truth & Reconciliation Commission of Canada Calls to Action:

  • The Faculty is a part of Canada’s colonial history, the impact of which continues to the present day
  • 2015: the TRC identified 94 Calls to Action, a number of which are linked to academic institutions
  • 2019: the Association of the Faculties of Medicine of Canada (AFMC) issued a position paper – Joint Commitment to Action on Indigenous Health
    • This listed 10 separate possible actions that Canadian medical schools could undertake to advance Reconciliation efforts

Read the full response here

During Indigenous History month, REDI encourages members of the Faculty of Medicine community to learn more about Canadas’s colonial history and the impact on Indigenous people and communities.

Learn more about the on-going work being done within the Faculty of Medicine to improve and support Indigenous health: https://www.med.ubc.ca/about/indigenous-health/

 

The pattern of continuing harm due to colonial processes has to stop. It is my hope that these reports are respected, reflected on and, importantly, acted on.
Eugene Arcand, Residential School Survivor. From: Lessons Learned, Survivor Perspectives


History of Indigenous History Month

  • 2009: by unanimous motion in Canada’s House of Commons, the month of June was proclaimed National Aboriginal History Month
  • 2017: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau declared plans to change the name to National Indigenous History Month
  • Within this month-long celebration, June 21 has been designated National Indigenous Peoples Day
    • In cooperation with Indigenous organizations, the Government of Canada chose June 21, the summer solstice, for National Aboriginal Day, now known as National Indigenous Peoples Day

Notable Figures

Nadine Caron: the first female First Nations student to graduate from the University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine and the first female First Nations general surgeon in Canada. Learn More

Jean Cuthand Goodwill OC (Order or Canada): nurse, public servant and Indigenous health and education advocate. She was one of the first Indigenous registered nurses in Canada. Learn More

Peter Edmund Jones (Kahkewaquonaby): the first Indigenous physician in North America. Learn More

Edith Monture: the first Indigenous woman to become a registered nurse in Canada and to gain the right to vote in a Canadian federal election. Learn More

Oronhyatekha: the second Indigenous person in Canada to earn a medical degree. A believer in gender equality, as the IOF Supreme Chief Ranger, Dr. Oronhyatekha extended membership to women despite strong internal opposition. Learn More

 

In the future, Indigenous people can be leaders in health, not just in Indigenous health, but in health overall.
Dr. Nadine Caron


Learning and Celebrating

Listen to the Storykeepers Podcast discuss Medicine Walk by Richard Wagamese on their June 4 episode.

Learn more: https://storykeeperspodcast.ca/index.php/episodes/

UBC has begun to implement its Indigenous Strategic Plan, taking a leading role in the advancement of Indigenous peoples’ human rights.

Learn more: https://indigenous.ubc.ca/indigenous-engagement/indigenous-strategic-plan/

An Overview: from the Centre for Teaching, Learning and Technology (CTLT) Edubytes Newsletter, this editorial explores the development and implementation of UBC’s recently launched Indigenous Strategic Plan.

Learn more: https://ctlt.ubc.ca/2020/11/24/edubytes-the-indigenous-strategic-plan-overview/

Blue and Goldcast Podcast: in this episode, Santa Ono sits down with Dr. Sheryl Lightfoot to discuss UBC’s commitment to decolonizing its campuses, pedagogy and structures.

“The IRSHDC at UBC addresses the colonial legacy of residential schools and other policies imposed by the Canadian government on Indigenous Peoples, and ensures that this history is acknowledged, examined and understood within the UBC community. The Centre works with partners across disciplines, at UBC and beyond, to facilitate dialogues and access to records and information that support engaging the legacies of the residential school system and the on-going impacts of colonialism in Canada.”

Learn more: https://irshdc.ubc.ca/

“The Indigenous Peoples Language Guide, which was created in partnership with the First Nations House of Learning at UBC, is now available for download. This useful guide provides information on how to navigate the terminology and meanings associated with Indigenous peoples in order to produce the best — and most respectful — communication results.”

Learn more: http://assets.brand.ubc.ca/downloads/ubc_indigenous_peoples_language_guide.pdf

June 30, 2021 | 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.

The First Nations Virtual Doctor of the Day program enables First Nations people in BC with limited or no access to their own doctors to make virtual appointments. The intent of the program is to enable more First Nations people and their family members to access primary health care closer to home. This service is for Indigenous people in B.C. and their family members, even if those family members are not Indigenous. The program includes doctors of Indigenous ancestry, and all doctors are trained to follow the principles and practices of cultural safety and humility.

This talk will explore supporting the patient journey.

Learn more: https://learningcircle.ubc.ca/2021/05/12/first-nations-virtual-doctor-of-the-day-supporting-the-patient-journey/

Find more events on REDI’s Events page: https://redi.med.ubc.ca/about/events/


Related Pages

Indigenous Inclusion (REDI)

Indigenous-Specific Resources (REDI)