2021 National Indigenous History Month

The Ottawa Public Library recognizes the importance of celebrations and ceremonies that usually take place during the month of June to mark National Indigenous History Month.  

The OPL would like to take part in celebrating and honouring the history, heritage and diversity of Indigenous peoples in Canada by presenting programs for adults, teen, children and families and highlighting the growing number of resources at the OPL that help all of us learn about, appreciate, and acknowledge the contributions that First Nations, Inuit and Métis people have made in shaping Canada. 

National Indigenous History Month is also an opportunity for all Canadians to recognize the strength of present-day First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities nearby and across Turtle Island. 

 Let’s share and learn from Indigenous stories, traditions and cultures to keep us together and connected! 

EVENTS AND PROGRAMS! 

Keep checking back throughout the month of June as OPL keeps adding to our lineup of programs and events. 

Some of the upcoming highlights in June include the following: 

• On Wednesday, June 16 at 7:00 pm, as part of our Rural Roadtrip Concert Series,  Expériences Autochtones will present five different styles of pow-wow dance in French. 

• On Sunday, June 20 at 7:30 pm, Join Author Richard Van Camp, a member of Ticho Dene First Nation, for a livestreamed conversation about his book Gather with Karen McBride (Algonquin Anishinaabe from the Timiskaming First Nation)  Stories are medicine. During a time of heightened isolation, the author Richard Van Camp will share what he knows about the power of storytelling—and offers some of his own favourite stories from Elders, friends, and family.  

• A livestream screening of the documentary film Chaakapesh, a documentary exploring the power of music to create intercultural collaboration. Followed by a Q & A with the directors. details of day and time to come. *****Please note this event has been postponed.*****

• Creative Writing Workshop for young writers with author Sarabeth Holden, author of “Please Don’t Change My Diaper”.

• And throughout the month of June our weekly Storytimes for children will feature stories by and about Indigenous people, in both English and French.

Stay tuned for more programs and events celebrating National Indigenous History Month coming soon! 

  NEW COLLECTIONS and OTHER GREAT INDIGENOUS CONTENT you can find on OPLs website!  

  Ottawa Public Library is also very excited to be sharing news about the launch of our new Indigenous Language Collections at the Main and St. Laurent Branches. 

This collection is aimed at children, teens, and adults, mainly in print format with some audiovisual as well. The material focuses on: Indigenous Language fiction and nonfiction (Ojibwe, Cree, and Inuktitut), language learning material for these languages, and bilingual or trilingual fiction and nonfiction (Indigenous language with English and or French text). 

The best place to check out all of this new material in Ojibwe, Cree and Inuktitut is on OPLs Indigenous Page. You can also connect with so many other resources at the library including: 

• Updated booklists of the latest material in the OPL catalogue by and about Indigenous people in English and French for Adults, Teens and Children.

• Checkout the Indigenous titles available in our OverDrive online digital collections for Adults, Teens and Kids and in our Cloud online digital collection.  

• Take a look at the Digital Book Club Picks for June recommended by Library Staff.  

• You can watch some of our past Indigenous programs on our YouTube channel 

• AND remember to check out our  National Indigenous History Month Teaching Toolkit 

This year for National Indigenous History Month consider planting a Heart Garden in your community or virtually to commemorate the children lost to residential schools, the survivors and their families.

For more information about Heart Gardens see Honouring Memories, Planting Dreamsor Project of Heart