IndigenousAwarenessWeek
Page about Indigenous celebrations
Indigenous Awareness Week (IAW) is taking place from May 25th to 28th, 2021, Join colleagues and fellow public servants in bringing awareness and understanding to our shared journey of reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. We invite you to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to deepen your knowledge of the culture and traditions of First Nation, Inuit and Métis peoples.
Video
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Kumik and Iskotew activities
This year, IAW is being held around the theme: "We have all come from the one Great Spirit and this precious Earth is our common Mother. Let us walk in harmony."
All noted times are set in the eastern standard time zone. The events will be presented mainly in English. For those broadcast via MS Team, computer-assisted simultaneous translation can be enabled in the options.
Tuesday May 25
- 9:00 am Opening prayer with Tuscarora Nation Elder Ted Silverhand from North Carolina, USA at the Kumik Lodge Click here to join the meeting (MS Teams)
- 10:00 am Dream catcher making workshop with Ariel Berwick at the Iskotew lodge Click here to join the meeting (zoom)
- 12:00 pm Opening prayer with Elder Jane-Ann Chartrand and noon-hour teachings about Grandmother Spider at the Iskotew lodge Click here to join the meeting (zoom)
- 12:00 pm Noon hour teachings with Tuscarora Nation Elder Ted Silverhand from North Carolina, USA at the Kumik Lodge Click here to join the meeting (MS Teams)
Wednesday May 26
- 9:00 am Opening prayer with Metis Elder Angie Crerar from Grand Prairie, Alberta at the Kumik Lodge Click here to join the meeting (MS Teams)
- 11:00 am Opening prayer with Metis Elder Reta Gordon and opening remarks from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) Indigenous Champion, Chantal Seeton at the Iskotew lodge Click here to join the meeting (zoom)
- 11:30 am Special guest speaker Senator Brian Francis at the Iskotew lodge Click here to join the meeting (zoom)
- 11:45 am Presentation of Mi’kmaq legends and stories with PEI Mi’kmaq at the Iskotew lodge Click here to join the meeting (zoom)
- 12:00 pm Noon hour teachings with Metis Elder Angie Crerar from Grand Prairie, Alberta at the Kumik Lodge Click here to join the meeting (MS Teams)
- 1:00 pm Drumming, singing and storytelling with Raymond Sewell at the Iskotew lodge Click here to join the meeting (zoom)
- 2:00 pm "Got Land ?" Comedy show with Trevor Thompson at the Iskotew lodge Click here to join the meeting (zoom)
Thursday May 27
- 9:00 am Opening prayer with Inuit Elder Maria Brazeau from Nain, Labrador at the Kumik Lodge Click here to join the meeting (MS Teams)
- 12:00 pm Noon hour teachings with Inuit Elder Maria Brazeau from Nain Labrador at the Kumik Lodge Click here to join the meeting (MS Teams)
- 12:00 pm Noon hour teaching with Inuit Knowledge keeper Naulaq LeDrew at the Iskotew lodge Click here to join the meeting (zoom)
- 12:30 pm Throat singing by Tarniriik and drumming demonstration by Aalpi Kumarluk Sheldon at the Iskotew lodge Click here to join the meeting (zoom)
Friday May 28
- 12:00 am Jingle dress demo & Powwow dance workshop with Amanda Fox at the Iskotew lodge Click here to join the meeting (zoom)
- 1:00 pm IAW closing event - prayer by Frank Hope and final remarks by FNIHB SADM Patrick Boucher at the Iskotew lodge Click here to join the meeting (zoom)
- 1:30 pm Special presentation on the Tree of Life with Frank Hope at the Iskotew lodge Click here to join the meeting (zoom)
Tuesday June 22
- 2:00 pm Dream catcher making workshop with Ariel Berwick at the Iskotew lodge Click here to join the meeting (zoom)
Policy and Strategic Direction - Indigenous Advisory Circle- Virtual Concert Series
Tuesday May 25
- 1:00 pm Opening prayer with Algonquin Elder Solomon Wawatie and opening remarks from Keith Conn, ADM First Nations Inuit Health Branch
- 1:15 pm Musical performance by David Finkle & Friends
- 2:00 pm Break
- 2:30 pm Final musical performance by David Finkle & Friends and Closing
To join us:
- MS Teams link
- Call in (audio only) 819-303-3246,conference ID: 535 942 552#
Wednesday May 26
- 1:00 pm Opening prayer Metis Elder Reta Gordon and opening remarks from Lana Thomas, Corporate Secretary for Indigenous Services Canada
- 1:15 pm Musical performance by Brad Lafortune
- 2:00 pm Break
- 2:30 pm Final musical performance by Brad Lafortune and closing
To join us:
- MS Teams link
- Call in (audio only) 819-303-3246,conference ID: 535 942 552#
Thursday May 27
- 1:00 pm Opening prayer with Inuit Elder Aigah Attagutsiak and opening remarks from Marie-Luisa Kapelus, Senior ADM Policy and Strategic Direction
- 1:15 pm Musical performance by Siqiniup Qilauta (Sunsdrum)
- 2:00 pm Break
- 2:30 pm Final musical performance by Siqiniup Qilauta (Sunsdrum) and closing
To join us:
- MS Teams link
- Call in (audio only) 819-303-3246, conference ID: 573 188 944#