National Indigenous History Month: Honouring Indigenous Stories and Heritage

Press Release

Harmful content

We recognize that materials in government and religious archives can be painful, especially for Indigenous Peoples. Reading historical records that document genocide, assimilation and oppression—often in biased and hurtful language—can cause distress and harm to researchers.

For more information or to find support, see the notice about harmful content.

National Indigenous History Month takes place in June and includes National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21. It’s an opportunity for us all to recognize and honour the history, cultures and experiences of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples in Canada.

As the custodian of documentary heritage related to First Nations, Inuit and the Métis Nation, Library and Archives Canada (LAC) is committed to preserving and increasing access to the stories that make up our collective past. We strive to do so with a variety of initiatives that enhance access to the collections in our care.

Many resources are available to help us deepen our understanding of Indigenous Peoples and the experiences that have shaped our history. We share here some of our latest actions that will pave the way for continued learning and meaningful engagement.

Strategic Pathways for Indigenous Heritages

The recently published Strategic Pathways for Indigenous Heritages outline our long-term principles in relation to Indigenous Heritages and in carrying out our acquisition, preservation, and access mandate while respecting Indigenous Rights and Indigenous Data Sovereignty.

Building on LAC’s Indigenous Heritage Action Plan, which publicly affirmed LAC’s commitment to reconciliation, these pathways define how we will continue to carry out our responsibilities and structure our actions in support of reconciliation as a principle in all that we do.

This work, an ongoing journey, will be carried out through successive action plans that reflect on progress and build momentum in the right direction. In the coming months, we’ll be sharing our first action plan that will include clear, measurable actions and outcomes. Stay tuned for more.

Day Schools resources

Earlier this year, we shared the successful completion of the Day Schools Project, a mass digitization and description initiative involving records relating to Federal Indian Day Schools and their legacy.

To help Survivors, their families and researchers locate documents related to Day Schools, we developed a suite of research tools, including a new booklet: Documents of a Colonial System: Day Schools Records at Library and Archives Canada.

Other resources include the Day Schools Project overview, where you can find a detailed research guide that provides general information about the records and explains how to search for and read these records.

Although the project has concluded, its legacy lives on through the enhanced descriptions that are keyword searchable through Collection Search.

You can download the booklet or have a quick look at it on our Day Schools Records webpage.

Events across Canada

National Indigenous History month is a time to reflect, learn, share Indigenous voices and participate in events that promote truth and reconciliation. A number of activities and events are organized across Canada.

In the National Capital Region

Join us in Ottawa on June 13 for an introductory workshop on traditional beading techniques led by Stephanie Peltier, an artist and stylist from the Wiikwemkoong First Nation. This event is free, but space is limited. Register now to reserve your spot!

A new Focus Series will launch at the National Gallery of Canada in July, exploring the Métis Nation and photography in the North. Discover some of the featured works and where to see them. Visit the National Gallery of Canada website to plan your visit. Admission fees apply.

Photographs, videos and blogs

Project Naming, a photo identification and community engagement initiative, invites members of the public to identify people, places and events in photographs held at LAC related to First Nations, Inuit and the Métis Nation.

Thanks to Collection search, you can find millions of photographs using simple keywords. Albums are also available on Flickr.

Engage with Canada’s documentary heritage through LAC’s Discover Library and Archives Canada podcast.

Our video collection includes over 90,000 files: short and feature films, documentaries and silent films, some dating back to 1897.

Discover articles related to Indigenous resources and collections on LAC’s blog.

To learn more

Visit the National Indigenous History Month web page to discover learning resources and learn about the reconciliation journey and how you can participate.

Related links

• Joint Ministerial statement
• National Indigenous History Month
• Digital toolkit for National Indigenous History Month
• Learning resources about First Nations, Inuit and Métis across Canada
• List of events—Celebrate Canada

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