Toronto History Museums announce a month-long series of programs for National Indigenous History Month in June, giving residents an opportunity to celebrate the heritage, contributions and cultures of Indigenous peoples in Canada.
National Indigenous History Month programs at Toronto History Museums are part of the Indigenous place-making initiatives led by the City of Toronto’s Indigenous Affairs Office.
Activities at Toronto History Museums will include The Moccasin Identifier Project, a Traditional Medicine Walk, a Summer Solstice celebration, Indigenous culinary experiences, and the launch of a new Indigenous Curriculum for the museum’s education program. The full program lineup is available at http://www.Toronto.ca/museums.
The Moccasin Identifier Project
Mackenzie House, Gibson House, Montgomery’s Inn, Todmorden Mills grounds and Colborne Lodge will be meeting spots for Moccasin Identifier Project participants on the weekends in June with Carolyn King, former Chief of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. Participants will stencil images of First Nations footwear to mark the enduring presence of Indigenous peoples in Toronto. Guests will also have a chance to create a unity bracelet using deer hide lacing, glass, bone and brass beads, and sample traditional bannock and teas.
June 1 – Mackenzie House, 2 to 4 p.m.
June 2 – Gibson House, 2 to 4 p.m.
June 8 – Montgomery’s Inn, 2 to 4 p.m.
June 9 – Todmorden Mills grounds, Wildflower Preserve and Brewery, 2 to 4 p.m.
June 16 – Colborne Lodge, 2 to 4 p.m.
Traditional Medicine Walk
On Sunday, June 9 from 1 to 2 p.m., discover the Indigenous heritage of the Lower Don Lands on this one-hour guided walk led by artist, historian and traditional wisdom keeper Philip Cote. Participants will learn about Indigenous medicines and other traditional uses of native plants that can be found in the Todmorden Mills Wildflower Preserve. This is a ticketed event ($15 plus HST). More information: https://todmordenmills.streamintickets.com/
Summer Solstice
On Saturday, June 22 from noon to 5 p.m., Scarborough Museum will mark the summer solstice with a ceremony conducted by Indigenous faith keeper Catherine Tammaro. There will be an unveiling of a painting by Tammaro in celebration of the summer solstice. Visitors can also explore the newly designed Indigenous garden at Scarborough Museum. Details: https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/history-art-culture/museums/scarborough-museum/
Indigenous food
On Saturday, June 22 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., explore Indigenous food from past and present in a hands-on workshop using the hearth in the Gibson House Museum’s historic kitchen. The menu will include a variety of traditional and modern dishes. The workshop is led by Mackenzie Bodnar, a historical interpreter and lead cook for Gibson House Museum’s teas and historically themed dinners. This is a ticketed event ($50 + HST). Details: https://gibsonhousemuseum.streamintickets.com/purchaseProductSP.aro?sum=Gibson+House
Indigenous Arts Festival
The seventh annual Indigenous Arts Festival takes place June 18 to 23 at Fort York National Historic Site, as a celebration of traditional and contemporary Indigenous music, dance, theatre, storytelling, film, crafts and culinary experiences. The Indigenous Arts Festival provides a gathering place to acknowledge, and share in the rich and diverse arts, culture and heritage of the First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples of Canada and Indigenous communities around the world. More information: http://www.Toronto.ca/IAF
In addition to celebrations at the Toronto Museums, the City of Toronto will celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day with a Sunrise Ceremony on Friday, June 21 at 5:30 a.m. on Nathan Phillips Square at City Hall. On that day, the public is encouraged to recognize the unique and important culture, traditional knowledge, contemporary accomplishments and future achievements of First Nations, Métis and Inuit in Toronto, Ontario and Canada.
This fall, Toronto History Museums will launch new Indigenous Education programs that will include Indigenous history and present-day experiences. Education being a pertinent part of the process toward Truth and Reconciliation, the new programs will acknowledge that Toronto continues to be home to a diverse community of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.
Quotes:
“Toronto has the largest Indigenous population in Ontario and the fourth largest in Canada. National Indigenous History Month provides us an opportunity to recognize the historic contributions of the Indigenous people in the development and growth of Canada, but also the strength of today’s Indigenous communities. I encourage all residents to join in on the celebrations throughout the city and participate in the events during the month.”
– Mayor John Tory
“Toronto History Museums are places where Toronto’s past, present and future meet. We are excited to celebrate the vibrancy and diversity of First Nation, Inuit and Métis culture.”
– Cheryl Blackman, Director, Museums and Heritage Services
“The City of Toronto’s Indigenous Affairs Office is excited to support Toronto History Museums in their work with First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples and all urban Indigenous communities. Through respectful relationships we will move forward, strengthening the City’s relationship with Indigenous communities and advancing truth and reconciliation.”
– Selina Young, Manager, Indigenous Affairs Office, City of Toronto
“The Indigenous Arts Festival creates a forum for non-indigenous people to acknowledge, understand and appreciate Indigenous knowledge and ways of being. That understanding fills a local need for truth and reconciliation.”
– Kim Wheatley, Artistic Curator, The Indigenous Arts Festival
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