June is National Indigenous History Month. This month is an opportunity to learn about the diverse cultures, traditions, and experiences of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples. It’s a time to honour and give voice to the stories, achievements, and resilience of Indigenous peoples across Canada, who have lived and cared for this land since time immemorial and who continue to make significant impacts, today.
During this month, we also celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21. This day is an opportunity to honour the histories and diversity of Indigenous peoples in Canada. This day is important as it gives us an opportunity to acknowledge the Indigenous peoples whose histories and cultures are rooted in this land, and whose historical impact and presence have long been ignored by Canadian society. We are now in a place where we are beginning to recognize the importance of Indigenous peoples and their contributions to what we now know as Canada. In the Limestone District School Board, it is critical that we continue to teach the truth and to make a commitment to life-long reconcili-ACTION and living in right relations with the Indigenous community whose traditional territory we are fortunate to teach and learn on.
Working alongside Indigenous community members and several organizations (Indigenous Diabetes Health Circle, Queen’s University, Office of Indigenous Initiatives, Kewaywin Circle, Sexual Assault Centre Kingston, Tipi Moza, Kingston Community Health Centres, Kahwá:tsire Indigenous-Led Child and Family Programs, Métis Nation of Ontario, Odemin Collective, Kingston Frontenace Public Library, and the City of Kingston) and in partnership with the Kingston Indigenous Languages Nest, the Limestone District School Board’s, Indigenous Education Team is proud to offer several opportunities for staff and students to engage in throughout this month.
June 9 – Painting in the Garden: K-12 students will join Mandy Wilson from the Kingston Indigenous Languages Nest in City Park to paint bottles that will be used for watering the Indigenous-led City Park Garden.
All Month – City Park Garden (KILN & LDSB Collaboration): K-12 students are invited to participate in Indigenous-led garden programming throughout the month of June. In collaboration with the Kingston Indigenous Languages Nest, the Limestone District School Board has supported the building and programming of a food sovereignty garden in City Park. Classes will attend the garden to support with planting, tending to our plant relatives, harvesting, and programming.
All Month – Paint with Isaac Murdoch: Anishinaabe artist, Isaac Murdoch will be sharing the importance of protecting the lands and waters as well as the meaning behind his artwork, and his original artwork, Thunderbird Woman. He will also share art techniques and tips.
June 21 – National Indigenous Peoples Day Celebrations: The Limestone District School Board is proud to be a funder for the National Indigenous Peoples Day Celebrations happening on June 21 in City Park. K-12 classrooms are invited to take their classes to City Park to participate in the celebration. The day will have live performers, an artist's alley, Indigenous vendors, food, community resources fair, and more!
June 21 -Youth Artists Alley: Self-Identified Indigenous youth under 25 years old are invited to submit and display their artwork as part of the Youth Artists Alley at the National Indigenous Peoples Day event on June 21.
June 21 – Digging Roots Concert: In the evening of June 21, there will be a FREE concert by Juno-award winning band Digging Roots at Springer Market Square. The concert is from 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. LDSB staff, students, and families are invited to attend as part of Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations.
There will be limited seating for ticket holders on bleachers. Tickets can be reserved here.
Bring your lawn chairs if you can.
There will be shuttles available from City Park to Market Square and back, and KILN has single-ride bus tickets for use on the day which will be available for pick-up at KCHC, FACSFLA, and KILN.