In June, Canada celebrates National Indigenous History Month. In Kitchener, we have a rich Indigenous history to learn about. All Kitchener Public Library locations are settled on land that is the traditional home of the Chonnonton, Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee. We acknowledge that this land is part of the Haldimand Tract which includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. The Haldimand Tract was promised to the Haudenosaunee (Six Nations) and other Indigenous allies in 1784.
As people who live and work in Kitchener, we are grateful for the opportunity to gather here. We deeply appreciate Indigenous peoples’ history and ongoing connection to this land. We are enriched by the contributions they have made and continue to make in our community. Kitchener Public Library is committed to truth and reconciliation today and for future generations.
In honour of Indigenous History Month, we have brought together a range of library and community resources for you to explore this month.
Kitchener Public Library Resources
Programs
Join us for one of these great programs throughout the month of June.
Indigenous Sharing Circle with Kelly Welch
Tuesday, June 11 at 6:30 p.m. at Central Library (more sessions in July and August)
Indigenous Food Tasting Workshop
Thursday, June 13 at 6 p.m. at Pioneer Park Library
Indigenous Sharing Circle with Kelly Welch
Tuesday, June 18 at 7 p.m. at Pioneer Park Library
Indigenous History Month Titles
Kitchener Public Library has curated a collection of items that you can borrow for Indigenous History Month. These items are tagged with #IndigenousHistoryMonth2024 in our catalogue. You can also get customized suggestions or a surprise bundle through our DiscoveREAD service.
Virtual Library Resources
There is lots of Indigenous History Month content to discover in our Virtual Library! All of these resources are free with your library card.
The National Film Board of Canada is a database of acclaimed Canadian films and documentaries. We have curated a list of Indigenous titles that you can watch:
- Evan's Drum
- Giiwe - This is Home
- Heartbeat of a Nation
- Inconvenient Indian
- John Kim Bell: Born to "Indspire"
- Ninan Auassat
- Our Maternal Home
- Stories are in our Bones
- Voice Across the Water
- WaaPaKe Tomorrow
Mango Languages is a language-learning app and website. Mango features two Indigenous languages, Potawatomi and Cherokee.
CBC Corner is an online portal that provides access to CBC and Radio Canada content. Check out their Indigenous collection of stories, radio and news.
Kanopy is a streaming service with a variety of films and documentaries. Browse Kanopy's collection for Indigenous content.
Community Resources
Anishnabeg Outreach Employment and Training
Anishnabeg Outreach Employment and Training helps Indigenous people overcome barriers and connects them to services. They also run a variety of programs and provide resources ranging from reconciliation to employment.
Crow Shield Lodge
Crow Shield Lodge is focused on Indigenous land-based healing and education. They have an array of events from Men’s Sharing Circles to Full Moon Ceremonies. Check out a listing of their upcoming events.
Grand River Métis Council
The Grand River Métis Council aims to promote and preserve Métis culture in Waterloo Region. Their website hosts a wealth of resources and services, including the Métis Family Wellbeing Program. This program aims to prevent the cycle of violence that Métis women and youth may experience.
Healing of the Seven Generations
Healing of the Seven Generations addresses the intergenerational effects of the residential school system. They assist those suffering and raise awareness through their programming. They also offer teaching and community training sessions.
Indigenous Food Circle - Waterloo Region
Indigenous Food Circle is a volunteer-run organization that provides for those in need in our community. They grow, hunt, fish and forage foods in traditional Indigenous ways. They also help restore the land using traditional Indigenous plants and practices.
KW Urban Native Wigwam Project
The KW Urban Native Wigwam Project has been operating in Waterloo Region since 1987. They connect the Indigenous community to culturally safe and affordable housing.
Post-Secondary Indigenous Services
All college and universities in Waterloo Region have a sector related to Indigenous services. For more information, visit Conestoga College’s website for Indigenous Services, University of Waterloo’s website for the Office of Indigenous Relations and Wilfrid Laurier University’s websites for the Centre of Indigegogy and Indigenous Student Services. For Indigenous History Month, the University of Waterloo is hosting an Indigenous Community Concert on Monday, June 17 at 6 p.m.
Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre:
Aboriginal Health Access Centres (AHAC) provide innovative, Indigenous-informed health care to First Nations, Metis and Inuit communities in Southwestern Ontario.
White Owl Ancestry
White Owl Ancestry is an urban Indigenous organization centred around land-based practices. They also provide a variety of community programs and services.
Land Back Camp and Willow River Centre
The Willow River Centre is an open community space for Indigenous, racialized and 2SLGBTQIA+ people. They host events and have drop-in hours from Tuesday-Friday each week. O:se Kenhionhata:tie has grown beyond its roots as a reclamation and grown to include many projects of varied scope.
Wisahkotewinowak
Wisahkotewinowak is a local collective that creates urban Indigenous gardens in Waterloo Region and Wellington County. They facilitate various garden sites, outreach opportunities and events.
Online Learning Resources
Browse these helpful resources about Indigenous people across Canada.
- Assembly of First Nations: It's Our Time Education Toolkit
- First Nations: Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada
- Indigenous Canada free course from the University of Alberta
- Métis Identity and Voice in Canada's National Parks and Historic Sites
- National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
- National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
We hope you enjoy exploring these resources throughout Indigenous History Month. If you'd like to learn more about these resources or events, we'd be happy to connect with you at askkpl@kpl.org.