National Indigenous Peoples Day

National Indigenous Peoples Day June 21

Dear students and colleagues,

We are writing to you today to recognize and celebrate National Indigenous People’s Day on June 21st. This day is dedicated to honoring the rich cultures, traditions, and contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples in Canada. In 1996, the Canadian government officially declared June 21st as National Aboriginal Day, in response to the calls for recognition and unity from Indigenous communities and recommendations from the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples.

National Indigenous People’s Day serves as a powerful reminder of the historical and ongoing resilience, wisdom, and strength of Indigenous peoples. Their vibrant culture has vitalized this land for generations. This is a time to celebrate the countless past and present contributions of Indigenous peoples, shaping our world across policy, science, culture, and countless other domains.

It is also essential to acknowledge that Indigenous peoples continue to face systemic inequities and injustices, stemming from the legacy of colonization, loss of land and resources, cultural erasure, and ongoing discrimination. To foster a more inclusive society, we must actively listen, learn, and amplify Indigenous voices and perspectives. The Psychology Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee members encourage our Psychology community to use this day to celebrate, reflect, and learn.

Celebrate: On June 21, the Faculty of Arts Undergraduate Student Services and the U of A Indigenous Students’ Union are jointly hosting a screening of “Birth of a Family,” a movie about four siblings separated during the Sixties Scoop. They will also be serving free bannock and tea! The screening will be in HC L1-L1 from 12-1:30pm. Please use this link to register for the event.

Reflect and Learn: The Faculty of Native Studies is offering a new online micro-course (asynchronous and self-directed) called Indigenous Peoples and Canada. This course provides learners with “an overview of Indigenous historical and contemporary experiences in Canada”. See this link to learn more and to register. The next offering is July 12 - August 30.

See this link to learn about various Indigenous initiatives and events at the University of Alberta. To learn more about National Indigenous People’s Day, we encourage you to explore the following resources:

• Government of Canada: National Indigenous Peoples Day
• The Canadian Encyclopedia: National Indigenous Peoples Day
• York University News: What, Why, and How to Celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day

As members of the Psychology EDI Committee, we are dedicated to ongoing education, learning, and action. Our aim is to create accessible, inclusive, equitable, and anti-racist classrooms and work environments. We are here to support you and welcome any suggestions or concerns you may have.

 

Sincerely,

Jennifer Passey and Anthony Singhal (Co-Chairs of the Psychology EDI Committee)
Sent on behalf of the Psychology EDI Committee