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 on land that is the traditional home of the Chonnonton, Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee. 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 settlers on these lands, we are grateful for the opportunity to work and play here. We deeply appreciate Indigenous peoples' rich history, culture and ongoing connection to this land. As settlers, we must also face the painful impact that colonialism has had on Indigenous people throughout Canadian history and today.
A key step in Truth and Reconciliation is knowledge of the past and present which helps us become better advocates for change. This knowledge can come in many forms, including researching the Canadian government's progress on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's 94 Calls to Action or attending a local Indigenous event. Learning more about the history of violence that Indigenous peoples have faced and supporting our local Indigenous community makes reconciliation actionable for everyone.
In honour of Indigenous History Month, we have brought together a range of library and community resources for you to explore.
Kitchener Public Library Resources
Upcoming Programs
Cooking with Chef Destiny of Cedar Spoon
Thursday, June 12 at 6 p.m. at Southwest Library
Indigenous Sharing Circle with Kelly Welch
Saturday, June 21 at 2 p.m. at Grand River Stanley Park Library
Indigenous Sharing Circle with Kelly Welch
Thursday, June 26 at 4 p.m. at Southwest Library
Curated Reading Lists
Learn more about Indigenous history through titles in Kitchener Public Library's collection. Explore our reading list for children and our reading list for adults.
Virtual Library Resources
There are lots of great digital resources that you can access for free! Use your library card to check out these titles on Kanopy, a streaming platform for your favourite movies and TV series.
- "Being Thunder" tells the story of Harris, a Two Spirit, genderqueer teenager from the Narragansett tribe in Rhode Island.
- "Indian Horse" follows Saul Indian Horse, a seven-year-old Ojibway boy, who is taken from his family and sent to a residential school. He takes refuge in hockey and draws on the spirit of his ancestors to begin healing.
- "We are Still Here" is a film by ten Indigenous filmmakers. They weave powerful tales together to tell the story of hope and survival in the face of oppression and colonization.
Community Resources
Upcoming Events
- An Afternoon with Kai Potts with the University of Waterloo
- Celebrating National Indigenous Peoples Day with the University of Waterloo
- KW Indigenous Poets Open Mic
- National Indigenous Peoples Month and PRIDE Kick Off with the Willow River Centre
Support Resources
- Anishnabeg Outreach
- Beendigen's Talk 4 Healing Helpline
- Crow Shield Lodge
- The Healing of the Seven Generations
- Hope for Wellness Help Line
- Indian Residential Schools Resolution Health Support Program
- K-W Urban Native Wigwam Project