National Indigenous Peoples Day

SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 2020 NATIONAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY | 3 BY JENNIFER MCFEE NATIONAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY CELEBRATES FIRST NATIONS, INUIT AND MÉTIS HERITAGE — AND THIS YEAR, MOST FESTIVITIES WILL BE ENJOYED FROM THE COMFORT OF HOME. On June 21, coinciding with the summer solstice, celebrations will focus on the cultures and contributions of Indigenous people across the country. For Carla Kematch, Red River College's manager of Truth and Reconciliation and Community Engagement, the annual event has become a much-anticipated celebratory experience. "National Indigenous Peoples Day highlights the innovation and contributions of Indigenous people and acknowledges the diversity of knowledge that resides in the history of Indigenous peoples and communities," she said. "And at the same time, we know that this day was born at a time where there was strong conflict between Indigenous and non- Indigenous peoples. All these things we get to partake in this day was once hidden in the shadows, close to being extinct —and now it's all coming to the light, so it's also a day to reflect on where we came from and where we want to go next." It's also a day to shed light on issues that still need attention, such as the need to continue conversations about missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, she added. "If Canadians take the time to learn the true history of our country, and the current issues from the perspective of Indigenous people, we can work together to solve issues," she said. "Working together to find solutions is reconciliation." Indigenous heritage Honouring NATIONAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY HIGHLIGHTS THE INNOVATION AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLE AND ACKNOWLEDGES THE DIVERSITY OF KNOWLEDGE THAT RESIDES IN THE HISTORY OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES AND COMMUNITIES. – Carla Kematch Red River College's manager of Truth and Reconciliation and Community Engagement " " Continued on page 5 > MITT is committed to helping build a strong, inclusive workforce in Manitoba. We are working with partners in the Indigenous community and industry to develop learning pathways that ensure our First Nation, Metis, and Inuit students are confident in the classroom and ready for their careers when they graduate. MITT is proud to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day.

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