“ June is National Indigenous History Month – a time for all Canadians – Indigenous, non-Indigenous and newcomers – to reflect upon and learn the history, sacrifices, cultures, contributions, and strength of First Nations, Inuit and Metis people. It’s important to keep in mind that First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples each have their own unique histories. And within each group, there are distinct histories.” – Indigenous Corporate Training Inc.

The Hamilton Community Legal Clinic (HCLC) is committed to the Calls to Action and the Calls to Justice. “On May 24th 2016, the Hamilton Community Legal Clinic Board recognized National Aboriginal Day as a paid holiday, pursuant to Call to Action 80. The HCLC believes that National Aboriginal Day is an opportunity to expand awareness on Indigenous issues and promote inclusion. This decision represents the values of HCLC and its commitment to “reconciliAction”. The HCLC encourages both Indigenous and non-Indigenous organizations to consider doing likewise.” – A Journey to ReconiliAction – Calls to Action Report

Here’s the timeline on how Indigenous History Month came to be:

1982:  The National Indian Brotherhood (now known as the Assembly of First Nations) called for the creation of a National Aboriginal Solidarity Day on June 21.

1990: The Quebec legislature recognized June 21 as a day to celebrate Aboriginal* culture

1995: The Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples recommended a day be designated as National First Peoples Day. The Sacred Assembly, a national conference of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people chaired by the late Elijah Harper, called for a national holiday to celebrate the contributions of Aboriginal Peoples in Canada.

1996: Governor General Romeo LeBlanc proclaimed that National Aboriginal Day would be celebrated June 21 each year. “On June 21st, this year and every year, Canada will honour the native peoples who first brought humanity to this great land,” said Leblanc. “And may the first peoples of our past always be full and proud partners in our future.”

2008: Prime Minister Harper offered the full apology on behalf of Canadians for the Indian Residential Schools system.

2009: By unanimous motion in Canada’s House of Commons, the month of June was declared National Aboriginal History Month.

2017: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced plans to change the name to National Indigenous History Month, reflecting a national and international preference for the term Indigenous, rather than Aboriginal.

If you are interested in learning more about the Indigenous history that was not taught in schools or if you want to learn about history from the Indigenous person’s point of view, there are lots of reports. Some are quite lengthy but well worth the effort. 

Reports:

1. Report of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples: https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/aboriginal-heritage/royal-commission-aboriginal-peoples/Pages/final-report.aspx
2. Honouring the Truth, Reconciling for the Future Summary of the Final Report of theTruth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada http://nctr.ca/assets/reports/Final%20Reports/Executive_Summary_English_Web.pdf
3. The TRC’s 94 Calls to Action: http://trc.ca/assets/pdf/Calls_to_Action_English2.pdf
4. Reclaiming Power and Place: The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls https://www.mmiwg-ffada.ca/final-report/
5. How Did We Get Here? A concise, unvarnished account of the history of the relationship between Indigenous Peoples and Canada – Interim Report Of The Standing Senate Committee On Aboriginal Peoples https://sencanada.ca/content/sen/committee/421/APPA/Reports/APPAReport-Phase1_WEB_e.pdf
   

HCLC stands in solidarity with Indigenous peoples to make decisions about their lands, calls upon governments to adhere to the rule of law and condemns rising hate towards Indigenous peoples.

“Truth and reconciliation begins by changing the way we talk to and about each other”: Senator Murray Sinclair, former Truth & Reconciliation Commissioner of Canada. We are alarmed at how far we are from this goal in this country, as illustrated by a recent Globe and Mail headline, “Indigenous people face racist backlash over protests” (February 29, 2020).

Indigenous people are hearing and reading racist rants and threats of violence in response to blockades and rallies in support of Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs opposed to the Coastal GasLink pipeline.

It is essential for Canadians to know and acknowledge the truth about our shared history when faced with the temporary inconvenience caused by road and rail blockades. This inconvenience, while immediate and real, pales in comparison to 150 years of colonialism and its legacy of genocide, apartheid and systemic racism.

At the heart of this current unrest is the government’s refusal to honour the rule of law, when RCMP arrested and removed Hereditary Chiefs from their land. Wet’suwet’en lands are unceded, meaning they are not subject to a treaty between the Crown and the First Nation. “Aboriginal title” has been recognized in Canadian law and the landmark Delgumuuku decision by the Supreme Court of Canada in 1997 acknowledged the Hereditary Chiefs as the representatives of this title. The United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples was implemented in B.C. and it prevents the forced removal of Indigenous peoples from their lands.

Face-to-face discussions are underway between the Crown and the Hereditary Chiefs, as must be the approach when talking nation to nation. Respect and relationship building are necessary steps to generate trust and good will. This is how we do the hard work of reconciliation.