On June 10th, in honour of Indigenous People’s day, the Society’s Indigenous Relations Circle (IRC) hosted an Indigenous beading workshop for members. This event was held at the Society office in Toronto, to share and enhance member knowledge of Indigenous culture.
Noelle Oakes, who is Mohawk from Akwesasne reserve, assisted members of all skill levels as they created their own unique beading project. Noelle and Pat Oakes encouraged participants to be creative, and patient as they showcased the skills required to create beautiful beaded items. In addition to learning about beading, the event provided members with an invaluable opportunity to connect and establish new friendships with members across locals.
An Indigenous lunch was provided, consisting of bison and salmon sliders, Navajo tacos, bear paws, bannock, and fry bread from Tea N Bannock restaurant in Toronto. Members were also treated to Pat’s homemade strawberry juice, which was a huge hit!
For generations, many Indigenous groups and communities have celebrated their culture and heritage on June 21 or around that time of year because of the significance of the summer solstice as the longest day of the year.
National Indigenous Peoples Day, was created to honour Indigenous people’s contributions to Canada’s history and prosperity. Celebrating Indigenous Peoples Day provides a space for Indigenous groups to be recognized and celebrated for their achievements and rich culture. It also allows non-Indigenous people to gain a better understanding of and a new appreciation for the Indigenous communities that surround them.
If you identify as Indigenous and are interested in being part of the Society’s Indigenous Relations Circle, you can get more details here: https://www.thesociety.ca/indigenous_relations_committee
