National Indigenous Peoples Day

Alethea Kewayosh, Director, Indigenous Cancer Care Unit, Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario) Ontario Health Town Hall | June 25, 2020

1 National Indigenous Peoples Day

• June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day. This is a day for all Canadians to recognize and celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. • First Nations, Inuit and Métis are not a cultural group to Canada, but rather a distinct Constitutionally recognized peoples with Aboriginal and Treaty Rights (Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982). • Although these Nations share many similarities, they each have their own distinct heritage, language, cultural practices and spiritual beliefs.

2 National Indigenous Peoples Day

• In 1982 the National Indian Brotherhood (now the Assembly of First Nations) called for the creation of a National Aboriginal Solidarity Day to be celebrated on June 21st • In 1995, the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples recommended that a National First Peoples day be created. • In cooperation with Indigenous organizations, the Government of Canada chose June 21, the summer solstice, for National Aboriginal Day, now known as National Indigenous Peoples Day. • For generations, many Indigenous peoples and communities have celebrated their culture and heritage on or near this day due to the significance of the summer solstice as the longest day of the year.

3 National Indigenous History Month

• To honor the history, heritage and diversity of Indigenous peoples in Canada. • In 2008 PM Stephen Harper offered a full apology for the Indian Residential Schools. • In 2009, by unanimous motion in Canada’s House of Commons the month of June was declared National Aboriginal History Month (changed to Indigenous in 2017).

4 First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples

• First Nations - First Nations peoples are the first peoples of North America and they form the largest group of Indigenous peoples in Ontario, totaling 236,680 people. There are 133 reserves in Ontario, 61 are located in rural or remote areas and 33 are considered fly-in communities with no year-round road access. • Inuit – Inuit are not indigenous to Ontario; they are the original people from Inuit Nunangat – which includes 4 Inuit homelands (Inuvialuit, Nunatsiavut, Nunavik and Nunavut). The majority of the approximately 3,860 Inuit who live in Ontario are in the Ottawa area, and there is a growing population in as many as 13 other municipalities across Ontario, including Toronto.

5 First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples

• Métis – The genesis of the Métis culture and nation dates back to the 1600s when early European settlers first came into contact with local First Nations communities. Early unions between European settlers and local First Nations women led to the emergence of a new and highly distinctive Indigenous peoples with a unique identity and consciousness. There are approximately 120,585 Métis people living in Ontario, with almost three-quarters of Métis people living in urban locations.

• Urban Indigenous - The term “urban Indigenous” refers primarily to First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples living in cities and towns and recognizes the diversity between and within Indigenous communities. In Ontario, more than 85% of Indigenous people live off-reserve in urban or rural communities. This figure includes Métis people and Inuit who do not live on reserves. 6 First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples

7 Key Issues and Challenges

Inter-Generational Trauma: Specific to Health and Cancer Control: • Colonialism • Indian Act • Stereotypes and Prejudice • Communication barriers/translation • Residential schools • Lack of trust for medical system • Loss of culture • No Family physician Social Determinants of Health: • Poor coordination of care • Poverty • Jurisdictional issues (federal/provincial) • Racism in healthcare system • Limited economic development opportunities

8 Racism: Daily Reality – More people killed in last two months than deaths from COVID-19

Ipperwash, 1996

Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women

“Not Forgotten” 9 Oka Crisis, 1990 Maxine Noel Key Reports and Recommendations

10 Strength and Resilience

• Despite facing huge challenges, Indigenous peoples have demonstrated, and continue to demonstrate, extraordinary strength and resilience. • A powerful sense of Indigenous identity is growing across communities in Ontario and Canada. • Indigenous cultures, traditions and approaches to healing and wellness remain very strong. • Traditional practice still plays an important role for many Indigenous peoples when considering treatment options.

11 The Seven Sacred Grandfather Teachings

• Honesty Don't lie or steal, WALK WITH HONOUR... • Truth We are all personally accountable for what we say and do. • Respect means never hurting or humiliating your colleagues by unkind words or gossip. TO HONOUR ALL OF CREATION IS TO HAVE RESPECT... • Bravery Don't be afraid to stand up for what you believe in. STEP OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE... • Love means showing compassion and understanding towards yourself and others. • Humility Show your humility by asking colleagues for their opinions and giving credit for their assistance and ideas. • Wisdom is seeking to learn all that we can in a respectful manner and to take the time to reflect upon our teachings

12 How should Canadians mark National Indigenous Peoples Day

• Think about:

o Your relationship with Indigenous Peoples

o Creating relationships with Indigenous Peoples

o How you see Indigenous Peoples

o The truth about Indigenous Peoples • Important to remember that every inch of Canada has been inhabited or is a First Nation territory

13 Indigenous Relationship and Cultural Safety Courses

14 Miigwetch

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