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National Indigenous History Month

See upcoming events on Facebook throughout June.

National Indigenous Peoples Day
Monday, June 20, 11:45 am to 1:15 pm
Edmonton City Centre (west side, street level), 10200 – 102A Avenue NW
Attendance is free

See more 2022 events below

Overview

People in Canada celebrate National Indigenous History Month every June and recognize National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21. These are great opportunities to acknowledge Indigenous Peoples, to learn about their histories, cultures and ways of life.

Join the celebrations this June by attending special events in Alberta. Also continue reaching out through the year to build stronger relationships and greater understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.

Learn about Indigenous Peoples

Use the following resources to learn about Indigenous Peoples:

  • Aboriginal Peoples of Alberta: yesterday, today and tomorrow provides a glimpse into the culture, history, issues, and future opportunities of Indigenous Peoples.
  • The Blackfoot Digital Library has information about Blackfoot people and culture. The site contains images, audio, videos and documents collected during the past century.
  • LearnAlberta (français) offers educational resources related to First Nations, Métis and Inuit perspectives and experiences, including residential schools and Treaties. Resources correlate to Alberta programs of study.
  • Empowering the Spirit includes educational resources to deepen understanding of First Nations, Métis and Inuit perspectives on literacy and numeracy. The resources are the result of a partnership between Alberta Education and the Alberta Regional Professional Development Consortium.

Also consider local Indigenous community resources that may be available through a local Native Friendship Centre, or First Nation or Métis local office.

2022 events

See upcoming events on Facebook throughout June.

  • Virtual, online

    National Indigenous Peoples’ Day – Education Special

    • Date: June 21
    • Time: 10 am
    • Event location: Webinar
    • Description: Join us for an action packed hour of Indigenous entertainment, cultural teachings and an interactive art lesson in celebration of National Indigenous Peoples Day (NIPD)! Hosted by Lance Cardinal and featuring musical performances by Spur Pourier and Fawn Wood, World Champion Hoop Dancer Dallas Arcand, Inuit Drum and Dance by Connie Kanayok and Jaynine McCrae, and more. Brought to you by Edmonton Public Schools, Edmonton Catholic Schools, kihew waciston MacEwan University, Edmonton Public Library and the City of Edmonton.
    • Website: See City of Edmonton – Indigenous History Month for the event link on June 21. Event will be recorded and available to view later in June.

    Campfire Chats: Buffalo Treaty

    • Date: June 21
    • Time: 3 pm
    • Description: Join the University of Calgary in celebrating Indigenous culture on National Indigenous Peoples Day. Listen and learn from a panel of Indigenous leaders and allies discussing the Buffalo Treaty, signed on Sept. 24, 2014. The event will be moderated by Elder Reg Crowshoe, Hon. LLD’01 with special remarks from Dr. Michael Hart, PhD, vice-provost of Indigenous Engagement. The event features Rod Hunter and his drum group, Traditional Knowledge Keepers and allies.
    • Website: University of Calgary

    Kimmapiiyipitssini – the Meaning of Empathy

    National Indigenous Peoples Day with Richard Van Camp

    • Date: June 21
    • Time: 10:30 am
    • Description: Join the University of Alberta in welcoming back former writer in residence Richard Van Camp to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day at Augustana Campus.
    • Website: University of Alberta

  • Calgary

    Aboriginal Awareness Week Calgary – Pre-Launch Event

    • Date: June 19, 2022
    • Time: 1 pm to 4 pm
    • Event location: Studio Bell National Music Centre, 50 - 4 Street SE
    • Description: This event features Indigenous music and dance from local Indigenous talent. Admission is free.
    • Website: AAWC – Pre-launch Event

    Aboriginal Awareness Week Calgary – Indigenous Handgames Tournament

    • Date: June 20 to 24, 2022
    • Time: Weekdays from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm
    • Event location: Fort Calgary, 750 - 9 Avenue SE
    • Description: As part of Aboriginal Awareness Week Calgary, everyone is invited to register their team for the inaugural Handgames tournament.
    • Website: AAWC – Indigenous Handgames Tournament

    Aboriginal Awareness Week Calgary – Family Day and Powwow

    • Date: June 25, 2022
    • Time: 9 am to 6 pm
    • Event location: Calgary Stampede Grounds – South Park
    • Description: The event includes a free pancake breakfast, children’s corner, craft vendors, and a powwow. Grand entry is at 12:00 pm. Admission is free.
    • Website: AAWC – Indigenous Family Day Powwow

    Aboriginal Awareness Week Calgary – Indigenous Handgames Tournament Finals

  • Edmonton

    Indigenous Artist in Residence Showcase Event

    • Date: June 16, 17, 18 2022
    • Time: 7:30 pm (doors open at 7 pm)
    • Event location: Westbury Theatre, 10330 - 84 Avenue, NW
    • Description: Join the City of Edmonton's Indigenous Artist-in-Residence Matthew Wood (a.k.a. creeasian) for the final showcase of his 2021-22 residency. "Identity" is an interactive exhibition with a live DJ, Cree syllabics, and finger drumming. Creeasian invites audiences to follow his journey into the four directions of the medicine wheel, while also celebrating community and healing.
    • Tickets: Eventbrite

    Edmonton Indigenous Peoples Festival

    • Date: June 18, 2022
    • Time: 2 pm to 5:30 pm
    • Event location: West Edmonton Mall, 8882 -170 Street (Phase IV near Lego Store)
    • Description: The Canadian Native Friendship Centre is bringing the Edmonton Indigenous Peoples Festival (EIPF) to West Edmonton Mall. The event features entertainment from Electric Religious, Kaeley Jade, Colton Bear and Anishinabe Powwow Dancers.
    • Website: Facebook – EIP Festival

    Kick off to National Indigenous Day

    • Date: June 19, 2022
    • Time: 12 pm to 8 pm
    • Event location: The Orange Hub, 10045 - 156 Street NW
    • Description: Everyone is welcome to this special event featuring a meet-and-greet with the Edmonton Elks CFL team, an Indigenous Fashion Show, all genres of music, 50/50 draws, a silent auction, vendor booths, and door prizes. In the vicinity, you can find an ETS Bus Terminal, elevator, and a restaurant.
    • General Admission is $30 per person.
    • Contact: 780-471-3220
    • Tickets: Order on Eventbrite

    National Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration, Indigenous Relations

    • Date: June 20, 2022
    • Time: 11:45 am to 1:15 pm
    • Event location: Edmonton City Centre Mall (west), 10025 - 102A Avenue
    • Description: The event will celebrate traditional and contemporary arts and culture, such as dancing, drumming, Métis fiddling and jigging.

    Indigenous Peoples Day at the AGA: ‘Beans’ Free Screening

    • Date: June 20, 2022
    • Time: 1 pm to 2 pm
    • Event location: Art gallery of Alberta, 2 Sir Winston Churchill Square, Edmonton
    • Description: Attend this free viewing of the 2020 film, ‘Beans’ by Director Tracy Deer. This film tells the story of the 78-day standoff between 2 Mohawk communities and government forces in 1990 in Quebec from the perspective of a 12 year-old Mohawk girl, Tekehentahkhwa, nicknamed ‘Beans’.

    National Indigenous Peoples Day at Castle Downs Family YMCA

    • Date: June 23, 2022
    • Time: 2 pm to 6 pm
    • Event location: Castle Downs Family YMCA, 11510 - 153 Avenue, Edmonton
    • Description: Featuring performances by First Nations and Métis performers

    Dreamspeakers Festival Society Short Film Festival

    • Date: June 25, 2022
    • Time: 8 pm to 10:30 pm
    • Event location: Dreamspeakers Festival Society, 201, 11051 - 97 Street
    • Description: The Edmonton Short Film Festival is presenting short films by Indigenous filmmakers. This outdoor event includes a mixer with the film directors. The event is also available online.
    • Website: Eventbrite
    • Visit the City of Edmonton’s Indigenous History Month web page for a full list of activities taking place throughout Edmonton during the month of June to celebrate Indigenous histories, heritage, diversity, cultures and people.

  • Enoch Cree Nation

    Enoch Night Market and Entertainment Showcase

    • Date: June 24 to 26, 2022
    • Time: June 24 to 25: 2 pm to 10 pm, June 26: 12 pm to 5 pm
    • Event location: River Cree Casino North Parking Lot, 300 East Lapotac Blvd
    • Description: This outdoor event is a great opportunity for everyone to enjoy a unique night market experience, including First Nation and local artisans, vendors, and food trucks.
    • Website: River Cree Resort – Night Market

  • Fort Macleod

    National Indigenous Peoples Day

    • Date: June 21, 2022
    • Time: 10 am to 5 pm
    • Event location: Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump World Heritage Site, Secondary Highway 785
    • Description: On National Indigenous People's Day, immerse yourself in the Plains Buffalo Culture. Learn more about the Blackfoot people and how they hunted the mighty buffalo.
    • Website: Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump

  • Lethbridge

    Galt Museum and Archives Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration

    • Date: June 21, 2022
    • Time: 1 pm to 4 pm
    • Event location: Fort Whoop-Up, 200 Indian Battle Road South
    • Description: Come celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day with a variety of activities including a mini powwow from 2 pm to 3 pm. Enjoy a sample of traditional Blackfoot berry soup and hot mint tea. Admission is free.
    • Website: Galt Museum and Archives

  • Milk River

    National Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration

    • Date: June 21, 2022
    • Time: 9 am to 4 pm
    • Event location: Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park.
    • Description: Join us on National Indigenous People's Day to celebrate Indigenous Cultures of Canada - specifically the Blackfoot culture represented here at Writing-on-Stone/Áísínai'pi.
    • Website: Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park

Contact

If you have an event in 2022 to promote, contact Indigenous Relations with your event details:

Email: [email protected]

Related

Government of Canada – National Indigenous Peoples Day

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