Learning together: a place to begin this June

You have probably heard someone open a meeting by naming the land and its first peoples. At LMLIP events you may have heard that we gather on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, Lūnaapéewak, and Attawandaron peoples. The three nations closest to London and Middlesex are the Chippewa of the Thames First Nation, the Oneida Nation of the Thames, and the Munsee-Delaware Nation.

If you are new to Canada, those words can pass by quickly, and that is alright. June is a good month to slow down and learn what they mean.

June is National Indigenous History Month. June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day. The day began in 1996 and was given its current name in 2017, and this year marks the 30th time it has been held. It falls on the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. For many First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities, this time of year has long been a time to gather and celebrate.

Many newcomers do not know that they belong in this story too. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission wrote 94 Calls to Action, which are steps to repair the harm done to Indigenous peoples. One of them, Call 93, asks Canada to teach new Canadians about Indigenous history, the treaties, and the residential schools through the citizenship materials. The country is doing that now. So you can learn this history today, for free, well before any test asks.

The land you live on has a history older than Canada. It is still carried by the people who have cared for it the longest. Your story and theirs are not the same. You now share this place, though, and learning its history is part of making a home here.

Here are two free ways to begin.

Take a free online course. The University of Alberta offers Indigenous Canada, a 12-part course you can join for free on Coursera. It was made to introduce the history between Indigenous peoples and newcomers to Canada, so it suits someone who is starting out. You can watch one short part at a time. [LINK]

Come to a community day. On June 19 Indigenous Solidarity Day takes place at Victoria park, here in London. It is led by Atlohsa Family Healing Services along with the N'Amerind (London) Friendship Centre and other community partners. There are singers, dancers, food, and people to meet. Everyone is welcome, and it costs nothing. (Check the time on the link before you go.) [LINK]

At LMLIP we try to learn this way too. At every Central Council meeting one member reads a Call to Action aloud, and we talk together about what it asks of us. One small step each time.

You do not need to learn everything at once. Start with one part of the course, or one afternoon at Victoria Park. The longest day, or any day after it, is a fine place to begin.