National Indigenous History Month 2023
June is National Indigenous History Month, and June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day. It’s time to honour and learn more about Indigenous histories, languages, cultures, experiences and worldviews. Celebrate this important month with us!
Attend library programs
From dance performances, storytelling and film screenings to book talks and discussions on Indigenous diplomatic practices and activism, discover free, in-person and online events and programs on a wide range of topics that feature Indigenous authors, artists, activists, academics and performers.
Check out our Indigenous Celebrations page — it is updated regularly throughout the year with fantastic events, excited programs, recommended reads, and interesting podcasts and blogs. You can also access recordings of past programs.
Check out recommended reads
Another great way to mark National Indigenous History Month is with a good book – or many! Our annual Read Indigenous lists include recommended reads for all ages by Indigenous authors, illustrators and Knowledge Keepers. All of the titles are selected in collaboration with the Indigenous Advisory Council.
You can also explore blog posts that highlight items from our collections:
- Indigenous Documentaries in our Collection
- A Book by an Indigenous Author Aged 30 or Younger
- Indigenous Music
- Preserving and Revitalizing Indigenous Languages
Visit exhibits
At Fairview and Toronto Reference Library branches in June, experience Residential School Survivors: Honouring the Memory, an augmented reality exhibit designed to educate Canadians about the history and legacy of residential schools. The exhibit features a banner map of Canada, where orange dots represent where an Indian residential school was in operation. Using an iOS or Android device, scan a QR code to access images and hear the stories of Indian Residential School survivors. Can’t make it in June? This exhibit will travel to other TPL branches throughout the year.
At the Royal Ontario Museum, visit the Daphne Cockwell Gallery dedicated to First Peoples Art and Culture, which features thousands of historic and modern pieces by various Indigenous communities. Admission to this gallery is free year-round.
Attend events around the City
Go beyond TPL and attend free, community events in Toronto celebrating Indigenous cultures. Here are just a few:
- CAMH Pow Wow: Honouring Children and Youth
June 14 from 12 – 4 pm at TD Commons, CAMH
Discover Indigenous-owned vendors, food, music and dancing. This CAMH-organized event is rain or shine.
- Na-Me-Res Traditional Pow Wow and Indigenous Arts Festival (day 1)
June 17 from 9am – 5 pm at Fort York National Historic Site
Celebrate Indigenous cultures and heritages as you take in dancing and drumming and browse craft and food vendors. Be sure to listen to the emcee as they share expected cultural protocols and tidbits of humour throughout the day. - Indigenous Arts Festival (day 2)
June 18 from 10am – 5pm at Fort York National Historic Site
Take in entertainment from Indigenous singers and DJs, enjoy delicious Indigenous foods, and shop from the curated artisan market. - National Indigenous Peoples Day presented by the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto
June 21 from 11am – 9pm | Harbourfront Centre
Shop in the Indigenous marketplace, taste some delicious Indigenous foods, watch pow wow performances and wrap up the day with Indigenous musical performances. - Connections with soprano Deantha Edmunds
June 21 at 7pm | Harbourfront Centre
Hear Deantha Edmunds, an Inuk professional classical singer, perform original compilations and traditional music in English and Inuktitut - Tkaronto Music Festival
June 21 – 24 | Stackt Marketplace
Enjoy three days of free music, featuring Indigenous artists OMBIIGIZI, Susan Aglukark, Julian Taylor, Amanda Rheaume, Classic Roots, The Ra11n, and more!
No matter how you choose to learn more about Indigenous peoples, cultures and worldviews, we wish you a happy National Indigenous History Month!
Updates:
June 7, 2023: Added information about exhibits at the Toronto Reference Library branch and Fairview branch, as well as at the Royal Ontario Museum.
June 13, 2023: Added in information for National Indigenous Peoples Day presented by the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto on June 21 at the Harbourfront Centre.
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