June is National Aboriginal History Month!

Hi everyone,

As we have now finished our novel, Indian Horse, you should have a growing understanding of the racism, prejudice, poverty, and the long lasting impact of the residential schools.

Have you watched the movie yet?  Please watch the movie, Indian Horse Thursday/Friday trailer below

June celebrates the rich history of our Indigenous peoples in Canada, but also the horrific impact of the residential schools in our country.

Today, June 11th marks the anniversary of past Prime Minister, Stephen Harper’s apology to all surviving and deceased Aboriginal People of Canada, watch below:

What do you think?  Is that enough? (Rhetorical question, of course not!)

Here is just one of the calls to action set forth by The Truth and Reconciliation Commission in 2008

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada included four calls to action for sports and recreation. Here’s just one:

87. We call upon all levels of government, in collaboration with Aboriginal peoples, sports halls of fame, and other relevant organizations, to provide public education that tells the national story of Aboriginal athletes in history.

Indigenous athletes often face tremendous difficulties beyond the rigors of training for their sport. They are frequently from geographically and economically challenged home communities which means access to elite training facilities and resources for training and travelling for training can be limited. During national and international competitions, they can be subjected to institutionalized racism and stereotyping. When you read the short bios of these 21 athletes, think of the era in which some of the athletes, such as Tom Longboat and Joseph Benjamin Keeper, competed, and imagine the barriers they faced.

Please click the button to download the list of amazing past, present and emerging Indigenous athletes. There are many more outstanding Indigenous athletes than just the 21 we’ve listed.

Learn more

It is my goal that we can create a Canada that we can change and end the systemic racism that still exists today, by educating ourselves and sharing our knowledge and calling to action!

Have you heard of the Missing Indigenous Women Epidemic in Canada?  Please listen to one of Mr. Barazzuol’s New Media 10 classes podcasts below.  They worked with the art department to make the covers.

The tag is indigenouspodcast

Please comment on the podcasts you listen to, in order to acknowledge the writers as their purpose was to bring awareness to this cultural genocide.

Call to Action!  What can you do?  You can write a letter to your local Member of Parliament supporting equity for First Nations students.  Did you know many Northern Reserves do not have access to clean running water? Did you know that Northern Indigenous kids often do not have access to high school on their reserve and have to leave to go South to a large city to get their diploma?

Here is a link to some Indigenous Reads, but I will also post some of my personal favourites tomorrow.

 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3Og3_nnWlxtetA3R5L1tsQ