The Animikii team would like to wish you a happy National Indigenous Peoples Day 2022.

June 21st is the longest day of the year, the summer solstice. It is a day that has had importance for Indigenous Peoples worldwide long before the modern calendar.

Last year’s National Indigenous Peoples Day was a difficult time for many. Many were still reeling from the discovery of unmarked graves at the Kamloops Indian Residential School. Another announcement from the Cowessess First Nation would come only days later.

This year, it seems appropriate to reflect on a challenging year of healing and fighting for action.  But we also celebrate Indigenous excellence and empowerment. 

We celebrate revitalizing language and culture, building economic futures for generations to come, and protecting the inherent sovereignty of Indigenous Peoples from coast to coast.

We celebrate in the midst of Indigenous History Month and Pride Month too. So we take time to learn how history informs the present, and support the 2SLGBTQ+ community.

On June 21st, celebrate National Indigenous People’s Day your way. 

Not sure what to do yet? Here is our guide to National Indigenous People’s Day 2022.

Celebrate at an In-Person Event

If you are living in a Canadian city or town, chances are there is some kind of National Indigenous Peoples Day event nearby. 

Not sure what’s happening in your area? Check out this list of events Canada-wide.

Enjoy Virtually

Even though many attendees will be enjoying live events for the first time in two years, virtual options will still be available for people who prefer to stay at home. 

Check out this virtual Indigenous market by the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity or Indigenous Day Live on the APTN network.

Watch Indigenous-Made TV or Movies

2022 was a huge year for Indigenous-made television and film. So grab some popcorn and tune in to the new wave of Indigenous talent (or just re-watch Smoke Signals, we won’t judge).

• Watch the award-winning TV series Reservation Dogs. 
• The Body Remembers When the World Split Open, The Grizzlies, and Kayak to Klemtu are our three picks from Reel Canada’s Indigenous-made film catalogue.  
• Check out the National Film Board’s free collection of short films.
• Stream Indigenous-led documentaries, movies, and series on CBC TV and CBC Gem all day long. 
  

Learn About The Territory You Live On

Use a tool like the Native Land Digital map to find out whose traditional territory your home currently sits on. 

Challenge yourself to research and answer these questions:

1. Which traditional territory do you live in? Which groups passed through or lived in the area?
2. What language (or language group) did these Indigenous groups speak?
3. How do local Indigenous groups call themselves, and how does this differ from their “official name” (with proper pronunciation)?
4. What treaties or other agreements were made between the Crown and Indigenous groups in your area?
   
   

Support Indigenous Musicians

Whatever your tempo, you can find something groovy from an Indigenous artist to listen to.

The Spotify Indigenous playlist is a good place to start. Bump Haisla Hip Hop from Snotty Nose Red Kids, or avante-garde like Joe Rainey’s experimental pow wow or Wolastoqiyik-classical from Jeremy Dutcher.

Consider yourself more of a student of the classics? Sing along with Buffy Sainte-Marie, Susan Aglukark, or Redbone. Come and Get Your Love still sounds just as good as it did in 1974!

Explore Indigenous Lit

CBC recently released a great list of reading material for Indigenous History Month. 

Among these titles you can find dystopian survival stories, gripping memoirs, and poetry collections that pack a punch. 

Listen and Learn a Thing or Two

Plug into an Indigenous-run podcast while you clean the house or take a walk to enjoy the longest day of the year. 

Elder Gerry Oldman empowers and motivates with his Indigenous health podcast, and the ladies from Auntie Up! don’t sugarcoat anything about the issues facing Indigenous women today.

 Something about podcasting makes it perfect for learning history, so brush up your knowledge on the origins of the Métis with Muddied Water, or the less-known tales of The Secret Life of Canada.

National Indigenous Peoples Day 2022: See You Out There

Since 2016, Animikii has been promoting efforts to make the summer solstice a nationwide statutory holiday.

Even though this hasn’t happened yet, our team enjoys the day off on June 21st to celebrate with friends and family in their home community. 

We wish everyone a safe and happy National Indigenous Peoples Day in 2022!