June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day.  This is a day for all Canadians to recognize and celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples.  Although these groups share many similarities, they each have their own distinct heritage, language, cultural practices and spiritual beliefs.

I recently learned, thanks to Ms. Cummings, that one of my favourite songs was written by Buffy St. Marie.  Buffy St. Marie is an Indigenous-Canadian-American singer/song-writer, musician, composer, visual artist, educator and social activist.  In 1983 she became the first Indigenous person to win an Oscar award for her song “Up Where We Belong.”