National Indigenous History Month 🌎
Languages: English, French
Media Editing: The video module(s) in this subject are editable under our Content Studio offering unless otherwise indicated. For more information about Content Studio, contact your CSM.
Description: The Indigenous Peoples of Canada have a rich and diverse history, characterized by unique cultures, languages, and traditions that have been passed down through generations. These are an integral part of Canadian culture, and National Indigenous History Month is an important opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the history, culture, and contributions of Indigenous Peoples in Canada. This subject provides only a high-level overview of the origin of National Indigenous History Month and calls out only a small percentage of Indigenous people who have contributed to Canada's history and culture. We encourage you to explore and learn more about the rich history and cultures of the Indigenous communities in your area. This can be a meaningful way to connect with these communities and learn more about their experiences, perspectives, and contributions to Canadian society.
Languages: English, French
Media Editing: The video module(s) in this subject are editable under our Content Studio offering unless otherwise indicated. For more information about Content Studio, contact your CSM.
Description: The Indigenous Peoples of Canada have a rich and diverse history, characterized by unique cultures, languages, and traditions that have been passed down through generations. These are an integral part of Canadian culture, and National Indigenous History Month is an important opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the history, culture, and contributions of Indigenous Peoples in Canada. This subject provides only a high-level overview of the origin of National Indigenous History Month and calls out only a small percentage of Indigenous people who have contributed to Canada's history and culture. We encourage you to explore and learn more about the rich history and cultures of the Indigenous communities in your area. This can be a meaningful way to connect with these communities and learn more about their experiences, perspectives, and contributions to Canadian society.
Languages: English, French
Media Editing: The video module(s) in this subject are editable under our Content Studio offering unless otherwise indicated. For more information about Content Studio, contact your CSM.
Description: The Indigenous Peoples of Canada have a rich and diverse history, characterized by unique cultures, languages, and traditions that have been passed down through generations. These are an integral part of Canadian culture, and National Indigenous History Month is an important opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the history, culture, and contributions of Indigenous Peoples in Canada. This subject provides only a high-level overview of the origin of National Indigenous History Month and calls out only a small percentage of Indigenous people who have contributed to Canada's history and culture. We encourage you to explore and learn more about the rich history and cultures of the Indigenous communities in your area. This can be a meaningful way to connect with these communities and learn more about their experiences, perspectives, and contributions to Canadian society.
Topics
National Indigenous History Month - Facts
-
National Indigenous History Month is a yearly event in Canada that occurs in June. It’s a time to appreciate and honour the history, culture, and contributions of Indigenous Peoples in our country. In this topic, users are taught about the history of the event, and they’ll also learn about the three distinct groups of Indigenous Peoples in Canada: the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people.
-
Questions (level 1)
Video module
-
Translated content is typically AI-generated, and in some instances, it's been human-reviewed. Review the list below for translation details within this topic.
English
French
Questions = human-translated
Video = human-translated
-
In Canada, National Indigenous History Month is celebrated in June. It serves as a celebration to honor and acknowledge the rich history, heritage, resilience, and diversity of First Nations, Inuit, and MĂ©tis Peoples.
National Indigenous History Month was first recognized in Canada in 2009.
One of the highlights of National Indigenous History Month is the celebration of National Indigenous Peoples Day, which falls on June 21. This day coincides with the summer solstice, a significant day for many Indigenous peoples and communities.
The first National Indigenous Peoples Day was in 1996. The establishment of National Indigenous Peoples Day in Canada was the outcome of consultations and statements of support made by several Indigenous groups, starting in 1982.
In our country, Indigenous Peoples are the first inhabitants of the land now known as Canada.
The term Turtle Island is commonly used by Indigenous Peoples to refer to the North American continent, and its significance is rooted in various Indigenous beliefs and origin stories.
In Canada, there are three distinct groups of Indigenous Peoples: First Nations, Inuit, and MĂ©tis. Each group has their own unique languages, cultural practices, and spiritual beliefs.
Cree, Ojibway, and Inuktitut are the 3 most widely spoken Indigenous languages in the country.
The First Nations Peoples are the Indigenous Peoples of Canada who are NOT MĂ©tis or Inuit.
Inuit means the people in the Inuktitut language. The singular form is Inuk.
Inuit are Indigenous people of the Arctic. Many Inuit in Canada live in communities across the northern regions of Canada in Inuit Nunangat, which means "the place where Inuit live."
The Inuit language is Inuktitut, but there are different dialects of the language spoken in different regions.
The historic homeland of the MĂ©tis Nation includes the Prairie Provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta, as well as adjoining regions of Ontario, British Columbia, and the Northwest Territories.
The MĂ©tis People have ancestry from both Indigenous Peoples and European settlers, which resulted in the emergence of new cultures, traditions, and languages.
As of 2021, Ontario is home to the largest number of Indigenous People.
As of 2021, Manitoba has the highest percentage of people who identify as Indigenous living in a province.
As of 2021, Nunavut has the largest Indigenous population and the highest percentage of people who identify as Indigenous living in a territory.
Some Notable Indigenous People in Canada
-
Canada is home to a significant number of Indigenous People who have made impactful contributions to the country's culture and society. In this topic, you’ll learn about many famous Indigenous people in Canada, like Fred Sasakmoose - the first Indigenous hockey player in the NHL, Tommy George Prince - the most highly decorated Indigenous veteran in Canadian history, as well as Buffy Sainte-Marie - an academy award-winning singer-songwriter. While this topic covers several famous Indigenous individuals, please note that this is merely an overview of a small selection of Indigenous people who are an important part of our country’s history.
-
Questions (level 1)
PDF module (This module was created in a tool that is not supported by our Content Studio offering.)
-
Translated content is typically AI-generated, and in some instances, it's been human-reviewed. Review the list below for translation details within this topic.
English
French
Questions = human-translated
PDF = human-translated
-
In 1953, Fred Sasakamoose became the first Indigenous hockey player in the NHL.
In 1958, James Gladstone became the first Indigenous senator appointed in Canada. He was appointed by Prime Minister John Diefenbaker two years before Indigenous Peoples were granted the right to vote.
Cherie Dimaline is a MĂ©tis author who has received multiple awards for her works that focus on stories featuring Indigenous People and their culture.
In 2021, Mary Simon became the first Indigenous person to be appointed as governor general of Canada.
Alanis Obomsawin, from the Abenaki Nation, is a filmmaker, singer, artist, storyteller, and activist. She was made a Member of the Order of Canada in 1983, and was promoted to Officer in 2001. In 2019, she was promoted to Companion, which is Canada's highest civilian honour.
Tommy George Prince is one of the most highly decorated Indigenous veterans in Canadian history. His legacy as a heroic Indigenous veteran has helped to raise awareness of the contributions of Indigenous Peoples in the military. He was also a champion for Indigenous rights, advocating for equality and social justice for Indigenous peoples.
With a career spanning over 100 movies and TV shows, Graham Greene is a Canadian Indigenous actor who has appeared in notable productions such as "Twilight: New Moon," "The Green Mile," "Dances with Wolves," and "The Last of Us." In 2016, he was recognized for his contributions to the arts and entertainment industry with the Order of Canada.
Buffy Sainte-Marie is an Indigenous singer-songwriter who has received numerous awards for her music, including an Academy Award for Best Original Song for "Up Where We Belong." Her music often has a political and social activist focus, and she was a prominent figure in the 1960s.
Preview of PDF module for “Some Notable Indigenous People in Canada”.
