Recognizing and Honouring National Indigenous Heritage Month: June 2023

June is National Indigenous Heritage Month, and June 21st specifically is National Indigenous Peoples Day. First observed in 1996, this month is an occasion for us to come together, reflect on and celebrate the unique heritage, traditions, and knowledge of First Nations, Urban Indigenous, Inuit, and Métis communities!

Alex House's programs and services operate on the stolen traditional territories of the Semiahma, (Semiahmoo), q̓ic̓əy̓ (Katzie), and qʼʷa:n̓ƛʼən̓ (Kwantlen) people. In respect and gratitude to the original stewards of these lands, we are proud to learn and uplift Indigenous worldviews and traditions. Our Indigenous friends, neighbours, and colleagues greatly enrich our neighbourhood houses and communities. Beyond celebration, we as an organization are also committed to unlearning colonizing principles and challenging oppressive systems in our work in community. 

Join us in recognizing and honouring the significance of this month by checking out some of these resources: Learning more about the land you’re situated on and the history is a great place to start! If you’re looking to learn more in person, the Museum of Surrey’s Indigenous Hall has exhibitions governed by se’mya’me (Semiahmoo) First Nation, q̓ʷɑ:n̓ƛ̓ən̓ (Kwantlen) First Nation and q̓ic̓əy̓ (Katzie) First Nation; including past exhibitions that you can view virtually. And for little learners, Raven’s Quest on TVO Kids is a fun and interactive game that talks about the different Indigenous cultures of northern Turtle Island (‘Canada’.) 

[Art pictured: Protection by Rain Pierre (sɬə́məxʷ) – Displayed onsite at Don Christian Children’s Centre.]