Ottawa Public Library recognizes the importance of celebrations and ceremonies that usually take place during the month of June to mark National Indigenous History Month. OPL is celebrating and honouring the history, heritage and diversity of Indigenous peoples in Canada by presenting programs for adults, teen, children and families and highlighting the growing number of resources at the OPL that help all of us learn about, appreciate, and acknowledge the contributions that First Nations, Inuit and Métis people have made in shaping Canada.
National Indigenous History Month is also an opportunity for all Canadians to recognize the strength of present-day First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities nearby and across Turtle Island. Let’s share and learn from Indigenous stories, traditions and cultures to keep us together and connected!
Some of the upcoming highlights in June include the following:
·On June 20 at 7:30 pm, Author Richard Van Camp (Ticho Dene First Nation) will converse with author Karen McBride (Anishnābe Algonquin First Nation) about his new book Gather. Richard Van Camp will share what he knows about the power of storytelling—and offers some of his own favourite stories from Elders, friends, and family, especially important during this time of heightened isolation.
· A livestream screening of the documentary film Chaakapesh, a documentary exploring the power of music to create intercultural collaboration. This will be followed by a Q & A with the directors. Follow us on our social media channels for the confirmed date and time for this event or check our website.
· On June 28 at 2 pm, join X̱aayda (Haida), xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) storyteller Kung Jaadee as she tells us the story of Raven Brings the Light. She will also share a couple traditional Raven songs accompanied on her drum and will teach some words in X̱aad Kil, the Haida language.
·Throughout the month of June, weekly Storytimes for children will feature stories by and about Indigenous people, in both English and French.
· The month will finish off with the final Our Stories: Indigenous Book Club event June 30 at 7 pm with What I Remember, What I Know - the Life of a High Arctic Exile; by Larry Audlaluk. Join us for a live discussion with the author as he tells us more about his memoir and life in the High Arctic.
Visit the OPL website throughout the month of June as dates, times and details are announced regarding the growing lineup of programs and events.
Ottawa Public Library is also very pleased to announce the launch of our new Indigenous Language Collections at the Main and St. Laurent Branches.
This all-ages collection includes fiction and nonfiction books written in Ojibwe, Cree, and Inuktitut, language learning materials for these languages, and bilingual or trilingual fiction and nonfiction books using an Indigenous language with English and/or French text.
The best place to check out all this new material in Ojibwe, Cree and Inuktitut is on the Library’s Indigenous Page where you can also discover many other OPL resources:
· Browse updated booklists of the latest titles in the OPL catalogue by and about Indigenous people in English and French for Adults, Teens and Children;
· Discover the Indigenous titles available for adults and for teens on the OverDrive platform, as well as in the cloudLibrary online digital collection;
· See the Digital Book Club Picks for June recommended by Library Staff;
· Tune in to our YouTube channel to catch up on watch again some of our recent recorded programs on Indigenous people and themes.
OPL has also created a National Indigenous History Month Teaching Toolkit that anyone can access to learn more about the importance of this month and find resources to increase knowledge about Indigenous history and culture.
