Celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day at TMU

June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day, a time for self-education, with opportunities to celebrate and reflect on the contributions of Indigenous Peoples to the university community and beyond. 

The summer solstice is also on June 21, the longest day of the year, and has great cultural significance to Indigenous Peoples. For many generations, Indigenous Peoples and communities across Turtle Island hold ceremonies to honour and celebrate their culture and heritage on or near this day.

All are welcome! Aambe Bizhaak!

Register to attend (external link) 

Events

Indigenous vendor showcase
Time: 12:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Location: SLC Amphitheatre

Check out the Indigenous vendor showcase throughout the afternoon to shop from local Indigenous-owned businesses selling handmade products such as dreamcatchers, jewellery, accessories and more! Vendors include SweetestDreamzzz (external link) , Assinewe Jewelry (external link) , beadworkbysaga (external link) /inkedbyindigenous (external link) , Little Shiny Wolf (external link) , Wild Strawberry Moon Designs (external link)  and The Spirit Lands (external link) .

Smudge, opening song, prayer and remarks
Time: 1:00 – 1:30 p.m. 
Location: SLC 8th Floor

Programming begins at 1:00 p.m. on the 8th floor of the Student Learning Centre (SLC) with a smudge provided by Crystal Osawamick, greetings and housekeeping by the masters of ceremonies, Michael Etherington, an opening song by Amy Desjarlais, lead facilitator, Rebirthed Teachings and a welcome prayer from Joanne Okimawininew Dallaire, Elder (Ke Shay Hayo) and senior advisor, Indigenous relations and reconciliation. Other leadership remarks will follow.

Indigenous teachings/workshop
Time: 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Location: SLC 8th Floor

More details to follow.

2-Spirited People of the 1st Nations youth drum group 
Time: 2:30 – 2:45 p.m.
Location: SLC 8th Floor

Enjoy a performance of traditional hand drum songs from the 2-Spirited People of the 1st Nations (external link)  youth drum group. 2-Spirited People of the 1st Nations is a non-profit social service organization that offers services, support and programming to Indigenous LGBTQIA2S+ people in Toronto. 

Presentation by Giinwi ntam wii-Nishnaabemying (Our turn to speak Anishinaabemowin) Language Circle
Time: 3:00 – 3:15 p.m.
Location: SLC 8th Floor

Anishinaabemowin is the traditional Ojibwe language of the Anishinaabe people. In this session learn more about the  (google form) Anishinaabemowin Language Circle (external link) , a community-driven group that meets online weekly to socialize, play games and practise speaking. The group is open to anyone interested in Anishinaabemowin language learning at all fluency levels.

Youth dance performance
Time: 3:15 – 4:00 p.m.  
Location: SLC 8th Floor

A performance from Toronto's Indigenous youth dance group from Outside Looking In (external link) , an Indigenous-led organization that supports and empowers Indigenous youth through the power of the arts to develop into thriving individuals and empowered community leaders.

Acknowledgements, closing remarks, closing song and feast
Time: 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. 
Location: SLC 8th Floor

Wrap up the day’s events over a traditional feast together provided by Hiawatha’s Catering, an Indigenous caterer from Wahnapitae First Nation, Ont. The event will conclude with a prayer, spirit plate offering and closing song.  

Off-campus celebrations

A variety of events will be taking place across the city throughout the month of June, including Indigenous celebrations through the Toronto Public Library (external link) , the Na-Me-Res Pow Wow (external link)  on June 17 and the Indigenous Arts Festival (external link)  on June 18 at Fort York, as well as the Tkaronto Music Festival (external link)  from June 21 to June 24, and a sunrise ceremony at Nathan Phillips Square (external link)  on June 21. 

How to be a respectful attendee to Indigenous events

When someone from a marginalized community* invites you to an event, go with an open heart and mind—be there to listen, learn and show your support. An 'ally' is someone who has privilege, but chooses to stand for and with marginalized communities by taking tangible, ongoing actions to dismantle systems of oppression.

As an ally, your role is ongoing and requires commitment. You are also encouraged to speak up and intervene when someone is targeted, learn from your mistakes and stay engaged. 

*Marginalized communities are those who are targeted by oppression, including but not limited to: First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples, racialized people, Jewish people, the Muslim community, immigrants, refugees, LGBTQ2S+ people, women and people with disabilities.

Miigwech |Niá:wen| Thank you to the organizing committee 

This year’s event is organized by a collective of Indigenous and non-Indigenous colleagues, led by Crystal Osawamick, manager of Indigenous events and special projects in the Ceremonials Office. 

The committee includes staff from the Office of Aboriginal Initiatives, Indigenous Education Council, TMU Indigenous Student Services (formerly RASS), Student Affairs, Student Learning Centre, Ceremonials Office, Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching, TMU Libraries, School of Early Childhood Studies, Office of the Provost, Career, Co-op and Student Success, Student Life and Learning Support and TMU Alumni Relations.

Questions? 

If you have any questions about this event, please email the organizing committee chair:

Crystal Osawamick
E-nankiid Anishinaabe Maawnjidowinan miiniwaa shki-Maajiishkaachiganan
Manager of Indigenous Events and Special Projects
crystal.osawamick@torontomu.ca.