Indigenous Peoples Day: Celebrating Art, Culture, & History

The NVISION office occupies the traditional territories of Indigenous Peoples; including the Ho-de-no-sau-nee-ga (Haudenosaunee), the Anishinabewaki ᐊᓂᔑᓈᐯᐗᑭ, the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, and the Wendake-Nionwentsïo. As an organization, we are committed to fostering a welcoming and supportive space for all peoples. On this Indigenous Peoples Day, join us and our team in learning and celebrating the history, culture, and achievements of Indigenous Peoples.

We recognize the road to reconciliation is a long and difficult journey, filled with healing and learning. With recent events on our minds and hearts, we’re humbled to have the opportunity to donate to the Anishnawbe Health Foundation. A local organization supporting improved health and wellness for Toronto’s Indigenous community through medical, traditional, and counselling services and programs for everyone from families and youth to two spirit people.

Films

Angry Inuk (2016)

Available for free from CBC Docs, Angry Inuk shares the cultural, historical, and contemporary livelihood of sealing in Inuit communities. Life in the true north faces many challenges. When a single grocery store hamburger patty costs $20 and three bananas at $7, the risk of food insecurity is shared by everyone.

“I wanted to make this film because it bothered me when I saw animal welfare groups portray seal hunting as an evil and greedy thing. The images and statements they put out, don’t reflect the seal hunting I know. They don’t even mention Inuit.”—Alethea Arnaquq-Baril, Writer and Director

We Were Children (2012)

We Were Children is a documentary that explores the tragedies of residential schools through the stories of two survivors: Glen Anaquod and Lyna Hart. This film is an honest look at what occurred to over 100,000 children during the course of 130 years.

Smoke Signals (1998)

At first glance, this film comes off as an indie comedy but there is a lot more to it. It’s a story of the complicated relationships that form with family and friends. And how those relationships intersect with cultural heritage. Smoke Signals has powerful storytelling and humorous moments.

This film was recommended to us because for many, laughter plays a huge role in their community and it can be a healing experience.

Music

The Halluci Nation

Tim “2oolman” Hill, and Ehren “Bear Witness” Thomas, blend elements of traditional Indigenous music, such as vocal chanting and drumming, with instrumental hip hop, reggae, moombahton, and dubstep. Their music is often referred to and referenced as the source of powwow-step or electric powwow.

Jeremy Dutcher

A classically trained tenor, composer, and musicologist, Dutcher creates complex compositions layered with 100 year old wax cylinder recordings of his Wolastoq ancestors. His medleys have been described as beautifully haunting.

Digging Roots

ShoShona Kish and Raven Kanetatka are both a couple and the blues duo that makeup Digging Roots. Their musical arrangements are a mix of blues, Indigenous pow-wow, and hip hop elements.

Books

When We Were Alone

Written for younger readers, Robertson’s picture book is about a young girl sharing an afternoon in the garden with her grandmother. Her curiosity grows as she notices small things about her grandmother. With each question, we read about the resilience and challenges faced in residential schools.

Five Little Indians

Michelle Good’s book is a story of a group of Indigenous survivors barely out of childhood. Kenny, Lucy, Clara, Howie and Maisie were recently released after years of detainment at a residential school and have been left to navigate downtown Vancouver on their own. Their stories cross and crisscross over the decades as they heal and come to terms with their pasts and find their way forward. Listen to the author speak and read from the book in the video above.

If I Go Missing

‘If I Go Missing’: Indigenous teen Brianna Jonnie’s 2016 letter published as graphic novel https://t.co/3SnmtCCJjc Book: https://t.co/TmlMmILv1p pic.twitter.com/Vl4ZddZQGE

— Native Lit & Culture (@NDNLit) December 14, 2019

An artful and beautiful adult graphic novel by Brianna Jonnie with Nahanni Shingoose with art by Nshannacappo. A blend of fiction and non-fiction, this series explores the unique dangers and challenges experienced by Indigenous today. Derived from a letter written by 14-year-old Brianna Jonnie to the Winnipeg Chief of Police. Jonnie calls out the negligence of authorities in the investigations of missing Indigenous peoples.

21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act

 

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Bob Joseph, explores the ways that the 1876 Indian Act has prevailed and affects the lives of Indigenous peoples in Canada. This book serves as the first step to reconciliation by filling the gaps of knowledge left out of education systems. It dispels the errors, mistruths, and stereotypes perpetuated by Indian Act.

Podcasts

Unreserved with Falen Johnson

Unreserved has been a staple show of CBC’s Podcasts since 2019. In each episode, Falen Johnson dives into contemporary Indigenous community, culture, and conversation. She invites storytellers, culture makers and community shakers to share their experiences and perspective with listeners.

Missing & Murdered

For true-crime podcast fans, Missing & Murdered investigates Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW). Journalist, Connie Walker, walks through the events that transpired with conversations around individual cases of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. With the help of visiting guests, the show creates a detailed picture of the events that were left out of news articles.

Coffee With My Ma

In Coffee With My Ma, a daughter, Kaniehtiio Horn, sits down with her hilarious activist mother, Kahn-Tineta Horn, to share conversation and coffee. Each episode shares a story of Kahn-Tineta’s experiences as an Indigenous activist and community member. The show is inspiring, funny, and emotional.

Resources

10 Ways to Be a Genuine Ally to Indigenous Communities

From Amnesty International, this short guide has something to offer everyone. From allies that just starting out in their support and those who have stood in solidarity with Indigenous issues since the Oka crisis. After all, to be an ally is earned.

Indigenous Canada Course

A free to take course from the University of Alberta. This virtual class explores key issues faced by Indigenous communities today. The modules place evolving and developing matters with the historical context of hundreds of years of Indigenous-settler relations. The Professors give an informative and critical look into Indigenous peoples’ issues.

Continuing to Become Better

Part of our commitment here at NVISION is to make space for every person to have the opportunity to grow. This blog post is part of our ongoing efforts of education and learning.

We would love to know what piece of Indigenous art, culture, or history you found most interesting. Continue to learn with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and Youtube.