This weekend, the club joins all of Canada in celebrating National Indigenous Peoples Day, a day for all Canadians to recognize and celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures, and outstanding contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.
Each one is encouraged to take part in National Indigenous Peoples Day activities in their community and to learn about the history and traditions of Indigenous Peoples, as Canada commits to progress together in a spirit of reconciliation and respect.
Here are a number of ways to take part.
ATTENDING EVENTS
Fraser River Indigenous Society: Join a live virtual event hosted on Facebook to listen to traditional teaching, watch local hoop dancers as well as a performance by Indigenous musician George Leach. FRIS is also unveiling an interactive map called Legacy Project 2020 that will share teachings and videos about Indigenous People.
Hope and Health Countdown to National Indigenous Peoples Day: Take part in the Instagram contest for a chance to win prizes including special Whitecaps FC jerseys while learning about Coast Salish animal archetypes.
H.R. MacMillan Space Center Celebrating Solstice: In honour of the longest day of the year, renowned Indigenous storytellers Dallas Yellowfly and Alysha Collie will present “How the Raven Stole the Sun” at the Space Center in Kitsilano. Tickets are by donation.
Richmond Public Library Indigenous Story Telling: Join the RPL in celebrating National Indigenous Peoples Day with a virtual storytelling on Facebook Live featuring Indigenous tales.
Up in the Air Theatre presents ishkwe-ayi’ii: Part installation and part live performance, the various components take a look at the global climate crisis through an Indigenous lens and offer the question “Is the apocalypse coming for humanity if we don’t fix this soon?”
READING (ADULTS)
First Peoples: a guide for newcomers: Newcomers are often at a disadvantage when it comes to learning about First Peoples because of language barriers, access to information, or the time to learn. The resource tackles three important topics: who are Aboriginal people (or First Peoples) in Vancouver and Canada; a brief overview of the relationship between the Government of Canada and First Peoples; and current initiatives and ways for newcomers to learn more about Aboriginal people in the community.
The Inconvenient Indian by Thomas King: Rich with dark and light, pain and magic, The Inconvenient Indian distills the insights gleaned from Thomas King's critical and personal meditation on what it means to be "Indian" in North America, weaving the curiously circular tale of the relationship between non-Natives and Natives in the centuries since the two first encountered each other.
Indigenous Writes by Chelsea Vowel: In Indigenous Writes, Chelsea Vowel initiates myriad conversations about the relationship between Indigenous peoples and Canada.
Whose Land is it Anyway? A Manual for Decolonization by Peter McFarlane and Nicole Schabus: Inspired by a 2016 speaking tour by Arthur Manuel, the book contains essays from Manuel, described as the Nelson Mandela of Canada, and essays from numerous renowned Indigenous writers.
READING (CHILDREN)
The Polar Bear Son: An Inuit Take by Lydia Dabcovich: A lonely old woman adopts, cares for, and raises a polar bear as if he were her own son, until jealous villagers threaten the bear's life, forcing him to leave his home and his mother," in a retelling of a traditional Inuit folktale.
Sometimes I Feel Like a Fox by Danielle Daniel: In this introduction to the Anishinaabe tradition of totem animals, young children explain why they identify with different creatures such as a deer, beaver or moose.
A Promise is a Promise by Robert Munsch and Michael Kusugak: When Allashua disobeys her parents and goes fishing on the sea ice, she has to use her wits to escape and to further trick the Qallupilluit when she promises to bring her brothers and sisters back to them.
DONATING AND VOLUNTEERING
Habitat for Humanity Indigenous Housing Partnership: The Indigenous Housing Partnership is an equitable partnership rooted in respect for Indigenous culture, helping deliver housing solutions by Indigenous communities for Indigenous communities.
Hope and Health: A close partner of Whitecaps FC, Hope and Health utilizes sport to build resilience and connection amongst Indigenous youth.
Indspire: Indspire helps Indigenous students in Canada complete their post-secondary education.
The Legacy of Hope Foundation: The Legacy of Hope Foundation is an Indigenous-led, charitable organization with the goal of educating and raising awareness about the history and ongoing impacts of the Residential School System.
