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June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day

This month our SPOTLIGHT is ways to honour and celebrate the Summer Solstice and National Indigenous Peoples Day.



This is a day for all Canadians to recognize and celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. Although these groups share many similarities, they each have their own distinct heritage, language, cultural practices, and spiritual beliefs. For generations, many Indigenous peoples and communities have celebrated their culture and heritage on or near this day due to the significance of the summer solstice as the longest day of the year. Indigenous people have been celebrating June 21st, the Summer Solstice (the longest day of the year), long before there was a National Indigenous Peoples Day. Indigenous people across Canada gather and celebrate the Summer Solstice and National Indigenous Day in diverse and unique ways.

In the north, the Inuit gather and celebrate with traditional drumming, dancing, games and foods like Inuvik's Arctic celebrations under the Midnight Sun.

At Metis Festivals, you will be entertained by talented performers, jigging and fiddling competitions where competitors of all ages show off their skills and traditional music, food, voyageur games and fun activities for the whole family.

On the West Coast, First Nations people celebrate with a potlatch, a gift-giving festival with traditional song, dance, food and the barter of wealth through gifts.

LEARN MORE WITH THE KIDS IN YOUR CARE

RABBITHEAD CAPTURING THE NORTH The Legend of Weesakayjack - First Nation Legend - How North America came to be - Canada

Aski and Turtle Island - Book For Kids Read Aloud

This digital storybook was developed as part of the Help Me Tell My Story early childhood

RAM – Keeping language alive – there’s an app for that!

The RAM has compiled a list of a number of Indigenous language apps and resources that reach across the generation.

Native-Land.ca 

An interactive map allows you to see what the languages, traditional territories, and treaties in an area.

Inuit snow goggles were designed to reduce the amount of sunlight reflecting off the snow, preventing snow blindness when outdoors. Snow blindness is essentially a sunburn of the eyes, and vision can be affected for a few days if precautions are not taken. Many Inuit groups made snow goggles to combat this issue, sometimes out of bone, ivory, or, like the ones shown, wood. Imagine travelling across the snow-covered tundra on a bright day without sunglasses, and you can see why snow goggles were invented. The small slits reduce the field of vision and the amount of ultraviolet radiation that reaches the eyes. Learn More

If you're thinking about attending a powwow this summer with the children and youth in your care, it's so much easier to embrace a new experience for the first time when you go into it with some awareness and understanding of what to expect and what is expected of you so here are a few things you'll want to know.

• Dress modestly and respectfully. Women usually wear knee-length skirts.
• No alcohol, drugs or profanity.
• Guide dogs are allowed, but pets are not.
• Bring chairs and a blanket if it's outdoors.
• Don't sit in areas designated for elders, officials, dancers or drummers.
• Listen and learn and let the Master of Ceremonies guide you.
• Stand respectfully during special songs like the Grand Entry, flag songs, and veteran's songs.
• Pay attention to what others are doing, and don't be afraid to ask questions.
• Don't walk across the arena floor; always walk around the perimeter.
• Come prepared to make donations to a good cause.
• If you see a feather on the ground, don't pick it up. Let someone know it's there.
• Don't take photos without permission. If you're not sure, listen to guidance from the MC, ask someone and watch what the First Nations people in the audience are doing.
• Take time to visit the artisan and food vendors.

NOW YOU KNOW! Just remember you are a guest, be open-minded and respectful of the people, the blessed grounds you enter and walk upon and the protocols above. Embrace this wonderful opportunity to make memories and gain valuable cultural insights and connections along with the Indigenous children and youth in your care.

LEARN MORE - PDF Sources & Resources-

LEARN MORE ABOUT DRUMMING!

Video - Learn Pow Wow Drumming

Video Making Hand Drums

COLORING PAGE

My Own Ribbon Skirt pdf

Martha is wearing her ribbon skirt, which has different colours and patterns that are special to her. Use the skirt outline to draw your own ribbon skirt using colours and patterns that are special to you!

STORY READ-ALOUD VIDEO

My Ribbon Skirt by Author Shelly Nelson Listen to Edmonton author Shelly Nelson read her picture book, My Ribbon Skirts. This charming book tells the story of Asini and her beautiful skirts, which represent not just a fashion statement, but a way of life.

In recognition of National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21st, – ALIGN Association created these Indigenous online jigsaw puzzles to support foster/kinship caregivers of Indigenous children and youth with activities that further their awareness of culture and traditions.

These puzzles are great for all ages and skill levels, from Tiny Tots to adults.

The best thing about jigsaw puzzles is that they require you to slow down and look at all the details as you piece the whole picture together. In a fast-moving world filled with photos and graphics, this is an opportunity for children, youth and adults to relax and appreciate the details of the traditional regalia, food, animals, teepees, totem poles and more!

The Importance of Mental Health Resources and Support for the LGBTQ2S+ Community (CMHA AB) June is Pride Month and an opportunity to advocate for better mental health access, resources, safe spaces and elimination of discrimination in our schools and workplaces.

Brite Line is a toll-free, confidential, 24/7 mental health and wellness helpline for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community within the province of Alberta. This line is run in partnership between the Canadian Mental Health Association – Edmonton Region (CMHA-ER) and the Institute for Sexual Minority Studies and Services (ISMSS). This line is answered by CMHA-ER by staff and volunteers trained in crisis intervention as well as information and referral.

SEE MORE Two Spirit Resources

To Submit Resources or Events email starrd@alignab.ca

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