In honour of National Indigenous History month this past June, the UFV Student Union Society took this opportunity  to acknowledge and help bring awareness to Indigenous history, celebrate and support Indigenous peoples and their culture.

The purpose of this initiative was to educate the UFV Community in regards to how we as allies can support the indigineous community and culture. SUS had taken this initiative to support local indigineous artists, creators, and businesses to do weekly spotlights on social media and incorporate giveaways purchased from local indigineous businesses. 

In case you missed it, follow through for a recap and highlights of the activities, speaker events, and spotlights SUS had initiated to acknowledge National Indigineous History Month.

Dr. Keith Carlson- Director of Peace and Reconciliation Centre spoke about "The Kidnapping of Sto:lo Children: The Exploitation of Indigenous Children and their Labour in the Era Prior to Formal Settler Colonialism” . This presentation by Dr. Carlson took everyone into the past to learn more about the exploitation of Indigineous children and their labour in the era immediately prior to the formal settler colonialism. Attendees experienced remarkable stories of family love and resilience. Dr. Carlson also discussed the deeper history of child vulnerability by going back to the late eighteenth century – an era when Spanish officials and enemy coastal raiders alike took dozens of Coast Salish children away from their homes. This was followed by the fur trade era when the HBC exploited Coast Salish child slave labour. And then in 1858 when Hope became the centre of an international kidnapping crisis where American miners stole dozens of Stó:lō boys and took them to California. Bringing awareness and educating the UFV community on indigineous history was a key component of Dr. Carlson’s presentation.

Along with educating our community, bringing awareness to celebrate and acknowledge the indigineous community, the Student Union Society spotlighted some of the local indigineous businesses and artists  during the month of June. Be sure to check out the amazing works of these artists and local businesses: 

• Sḵwálwen Botanicals

• Chantelle Trainor-Matties - Frettchan Studios

• Luna Float

• Longhouse Media

• Inner Vision Yoga

• Massy Books

• Michelle Reed- MReed Design Purse Co.

• The Sto:lo Gift Shop

The celebration doesn’t stop there, SUS also had 3 giveaways during this month partnering with local indigineous businesses. The initiative with the giveaways was to engage UFV Students in learning something new about the Indigneous culture and people. Giveaways included:

• A Candle from Oak and Earth Design 

• Enamel Plant Pot from The Stó:lō Gift Shop

• Art Mugs from The Stó:lō Gift Shop

• Mr. Bannock classic Bannock Mix from The Stó:lō Gift Shop

• A $25 Gift Card from Sḵwálwen Botanicals

With the initiative to educate the UFV Community, SUS had trivia week on instagram asking questions relevant to the Indigineous culture. To create community and celebrate Indigineous culture, SUS hosted a virtual DIY Dream Catchers workshop with Squamish Lil’Wat Cultural Centre. In case you were unable to attend the workshop,  check out their demo video on how to make a Dreamcatcher!

That wraps up our recap of National Indginieous History Month, this is a reminder that we as a community can continue educating ourselves and acknowledge indigineous history and culture. There are many resources available for us as allies to take a stance on educating ourselves and how we can and contribute to bringing awareness to the Indigineous community and culture as settlers.

Below are some resources to refer to for educational purposes and along with communities to get involved for seeking further knowledge:

• Free course: Indigineous Canada on Coursera 

• Indigenous E-Learning Tools and Resources