June marked National Indigenous History Month in Canada and the Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC) celebrated with seven citizenship ceremonies across the country. We believe that reconciliation is the shared responsibility of all people — existing and new Canadians alike — and our ceremonies in June shone a light on the spaces, traditions, and practices of Indigenous Peoples. At our ceremonies, new Canadians and Canadians that have been in the country for years or generations came together to reflect on what being Canadian means, what reconciliation looks like, and how to be active, and engaged citizens.

Highlights included:

At Conservation Halton, we heard from Jennifer Harper, founder of Cheekbone Beauty, a cosmetic brand that aims to help Indigenous youth, and Elder Edebwed Ogichidaa Kwe (She who speaks the Truth Warrior woman leader) . Catering was provided by Anishinabe catering company NishDish. 

Thank you to Edebwed Ogichidaa Kwe (She who speaks the Truth Warrior woman leader) Valarie King for this welcome song! pic.twitter.com/NJ5cA5B93y

— Institute for Canadian Citizenship (@inclusion_ca) June 4, 2019

And thanks to Jennifer Harper, founder of @cheekbonebeauty, for her remarks: “As creatures and humans, we all crave and desire peace and security…When we can come together and break bread, remove hate, and sit in that space and share in love, that is a successful country.” pic.twitter.com/pqqTj1tQGW

— Institute for Canadian Citizenship (@inclusion_ca) June 4, 2019

At UBC First Nations Longhouse in Vancouver, Dr. Richard Vedan, Elder Scholar welcomed new citizens and shared the history of his people.

“We’re in the process of truth and reconciliation…you are part of that because you have inherited all of the benefits of the people that went before.” – Dr. Richard Vedan, Elder Scholar to new Canadian citizens at today’s ceremony at @UBCLonghouse. #IndigenousHistoryMonth pic.twitter.com/PgpZf3DocK

— Institute for Canadian Citizenship (@inclusion_ca) June 18, 2019

At the Saskatoon Indian & Metis Friendship Centre, Marianne from May Henderson catering held a demonstration of how to make bannock and spoke about the dish’s significance for her community.

“This is one of our staples,” Marianne, who works with our wonderful caterer May Henderson, teaching new citizens about bannock at today’s citizenship ceremony in Saskatoon, part of our #IndigenousHistoryMonth celebrations. pic.twitter.com/5DByPE7nkx

— Institute for Canadian Citizenship (@inclusion_ca) June 20, 2019

We also held a citizenship ceremony for the first time in Yellowknife — at the Chief Drygeese Centre on the land of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation.

Join @ICCICC for a special Citizenship Ceremony in #YZF this Thursday, June 20, to honour National Indigenous Heritage Month: https://t.co/z5y8kxCquT

— City of Yellowknife (@OurYellowknife) June 18, 2019

All of ceremonies celebrating National Indigenous Month:

• Conservation Halton (Rattlesnake Point) in Mississauga, ON
• Neeginan Centre in Winnipeg, MB
• La Cité de l’énergie in Shawinigan, QC
• UBC First Nations Longhouse in Vancouver, BC
• Town of Fort Macleod – Community Hall in Fort MacLeod, AB
• Saskatoon Indian & Metis Friendship Centre in Saskatoon, SK
• Yellowknives Dene First Nation in Yellowknife, NWT

While National Indigenous History Months is over, we will continue to engage Indigenous Peoples in all our ceremonies, and in all our work, year-round. Join us at an upcoming citizenship ceremony and subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on other ways you can get involved.