The month of June is set aside as Indigenous history month. This gives us an extra opportunity to honour the history, heritage and diversity of the Indigenous peoples in Canada.

The school district has put together information for us to share.

Fact Sheet

Burnaby Schools                                               Created by:  April Strickland 

Indigenous Education  
Celebrating National Indigenous Peoples Day- June 21, 2020
Activity-Did You Know? (Canadian Indigenous Peoples Facts)

National Indigenous Peoples Day takes place on June 21st of every year.  It began in 1996 and was originally called National Aboriginal Day.  The day commemorates and honours First Nations, Inuit, and Métis People’s cultures, histories, and contributions to Canada.  June 21st was chosen because it is the longest day of the year and has long been celebrated by Indigenous Peoples.

This day is an opportunity to recognize the historic contributions of Indigenous Peoples to the development of Canada.  There are many ways to celebrate the day but as June is also National Indigenous History Month there is an opportunity to learn about Indigenous history and to deepen our understanding of Indigenous people and their role in the present-day and future of Canada all month long.

 Did You Know? 

Here is a list of facts about Canadian Indigenous People.

  • Since 1996, National Indigenous Peoples Day has been held on June 21, the summer solstice and the longest day of the year.
  • According to Statistics Canada, there are over 60 Indigenous languages in Canada.
  • In the 2016 census by Statistics Canada, over 1.6 million people in Canada identified as Indigenous, making up 4.9 per cent of the national population.
  • British Columbia alone is home to 60% of Indigenous languages in Canada. In our province there are 34 distinct languages involving 61 dialects.
  • Not all Indigenous peoples do Pow Wows, potlatches, smudges or sweats.
  • There are 634 recognized bands in Canada and 3,100 Reserves. The band refers to the people and the reserve refers to the land.
  • Elders are very important members of First Nation, Métis, and Inuit communities. The term Elder refers to someone who has attained a high degree of understanding of First Nation, Métis, or Inuit history, traditional teachings, ceremonies, and healing practices.
  • Indigenous cultures pass knowledge from generation to generation through oral traditions.
  • There is not one culture for all Indigenous nations. Each nation has its own culture, customs, beliefs, traditions, and world views.
  • The name of the maple tree in many Coast Salish language is “paddle tree” as it is traditionally the preferred wood for making paddles.
  • Indigenous people used their knowledge of the land to develop safe trails that became the basis for many present highways.
  • Elders are always given preferred seating and served first at gathering and ceremonies of Indigenous people.
  • The number four is very important to many Indigenous peoples; it relates to the four cycles of life, the four seasons, the four directions, and the four elements.
  • The Sto:lo have the belief that the cedar tree was once a kind and gentle man who always gave to the people.
  • The number of cultures and languages of Indigenous peoples in BC is greater than the cultures and languages in Europe.