Celebrating Indigenous History
June 9to 15
June 16to 22
June 23 to 30
Children and youth
Languages, cultures and arts
Women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people
This June, in honour of National Indigenous History Month, the association of Nurses and Nurse Practitioners of BC honours the rich history, cultures, contributions, and sovereignty of Indigenous Peoples across what is now known as Canada.
NNPBC enables the work of nurses and nurse practitioners caring for people, families, and communities across the traditional homelands of over 200 First Nations, lodging Métis Peoples, and visiting Inuit. With gratitude we acknowledge all the unceded and traditional territories in which we live, work, learn, and play. This acknowledgement includes a commitment to understanding both our individual and collective histories on these lands and upholding our responsibilities in our relationships with Indigenous Peoples.
We also acknowledge the ongoing impacts of Indigenous-specific racism and colonialism within the nursing profession, including the participation of nurses in the Indian Residential School system, decades of “Scoops,” and the broader reality of Indigenous-specific racism in health care. At NNPBC, we are actively taking steps to become an anti-racist organization, with a future rooted in respect, relationship, and reciprocity.
As nurses and in support of nurses and nurse practitioners, we are committed to listening, learning, and standing in solidarity with Indigenous communities to support health equity and culturally safe care. As an organization, today and every day we stand committed to centering the needs, leadership, and inherent rights of Indigenous nurses.
Check out learning resources on each theme from the government of Canada.
Check out events happening around BC Events - Indigenous Tourism BC
Learn More
Art, Culture, Film and Radio
- Book Talk with Jody Wilson Raybould and Carolyn Roberts - June 9, 2025
- #IndigenousReads
- VIFF - National Indigenous History Month
- First Peoples' Cultural Council
- FNHA Website on Cultural Safety
- Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada
- Lived experiences: audio and video messages
- National Film Board of Canada: Indigenous Cinema
- National Gallery of Canada: Indigenous Ways and Decolonization
- REEL Canada: Indigenous-Made Films Catalogue
- UBC Library: First Nations Languages of BC
Reports
- In Plain Sight: Addressing Indigenous-specific Racism and Discrimination in B.C. Health Care, Full Report
- National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation: Database of Reports
- Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action
- United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and In Plain Sight
Courses
- UBC: Centre for Excellence in Indigenous Health Summer Science Program
- BCIT: Indigenous Awareness
- Camosun College: Indigenous Learning
- San'yas Indigenous Cultural Safety
- Simon Fraser University: INDG-ONLINE: Indigenizing Curriculum
- University of Alberta: Indigenous Canada
- University of British Columbia: Reconciliation Through Indigenous Education
Events
Traditional Lands and Ways
- CAUT - Guide to Acknowledging First Peoples & Traditional Territory
- Native-Land.ca - Learn about Indigenous territories, lands, treaties and languages
- UNESCO - Land as teacher: understanding Indigenous land-based education
- YouTube - Indigenous Voices for Nature Conservation (videos)
- YouTube - National Indigenous History Month in collaboration with Parks Canada (videos)
Health Research
- CIHR Indigenous Health Research
- CIHR Institute of Indigenous Peoples' Health
- First Nations Health Authority: Research Resources
- National Collaborating Centre for Indigenous Health: Indigenous Health Researchers Database
- Research Canada: Indigenous Health Research
- Issues Brief on BCCNM Practice Standard: Indigenous cultural safety, cultural humility, and anti-racism
National Indigenous Peoples Day: June 21
For generations, many Indigenous communities have celebrated their culture and heritage on or near June 21, marking the summer solstice, the longest day of the year and a time of great significance. In 1996, in collaboration with Indigenous communities and organizations, the Government of Canada officially declared June 21 as National Indigenous Peoples Day (originally proclaimed as National Aboriginal Day). This day provides all people in Canada with an opportunity to recognize, learn about, and celebrate the diverse cultures, traditions, histories, and contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples across the country..
#NIHM2025 #NIPD2025
Days to recognize Indigenous People
- 4th January - National Ribbon Skirt Day
- 14th February - Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Memorial March
- 21st February - International Mother Language Day
- 5th May - National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ Peoples (MMIWG2SLGBTQQIA+)
- 16th May - Moose Hide Campaign Day
- June - National Indigenous History Month
- 21st June - National Indigenous Peoples' Day
- 9th August - International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples
- 30th September - National Day for Truth and Reconciliation/Orange Shirt Day
- 7th November - International Inuit Day
- 8th November - Indigenous Veterans Day (National)
- 16th November - Louis Riel Metis Day