National Indigenous History Month Activities
Check this post each day to access daily activities and participate for a chance to win a prize on Monday, June 21, National Indigenous Peoples Day. Note: Don’t worry if you miss a day, you have all week to complete the activities and enter into the draw!
Monday, June 14 – Word Match Game (click title to download)
Test your knowledge of Indigenous language with this Word Match game. Match these common Indigenous words to their meanings in English. Submit your answers to Julie Creamer at creamerj@tbh.net, or through Interoffice mail (Julie Creamer, Communications & Engagement). Those with correct answers will have their name entered into a prize draw.
Tuesday, June 15 – Traditional Foods Knowledge
Share your knowledge on traditional foods of Indigenous people in Northwestern Ontario (NWO). We are looking for at least 10 answers of what you think the traditional foods are. Submit your answers to Julie Creamer at creamerj@tbh.net. Those with at least 10 correct answers will have their name entered into a prize draw on Monday June 21, 2021, National Indigenous Day
Wednesday, June 16 – Indigenous Culture Survey (click title to access the survey)
Test your general knowledge about Indigenous culture with this survey for a chance to be entered into a prize draw on June 21, 2021, National Indigenous Day.
Thursday, June 17 – How to Make Bannock Video (click title to view)
Do you want to learn to make bannock? Watch this video for how to make fried or baked bannock, and try it yourself at home!
Friday, June 18 – Scavenger Hunt
Take part in a scavenger hunt to find the office locations of the hospital’s Indigenous Patient Liaisons, Indigenous Patient Navigators, the Senior Director of Indigenous Collaboration, and the Indigenous Spiritual Care Provider. There are 5 posters for you to find. When you find one, snap a photo and submit to Julie Creamer (creamerj@tbh.net) for a chance to be entered into a prize draw on June 21, 2021, National Indigenous Day.
Monday, June 21 – National Indigenous Peoples Day Ceremony
National Indigenous History Month
National Indigenous History Month is a time for learning about, appreciating, and acknowledging the contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people.
At the start of Indigenous History Month we learned of the discovery of the undocumented deaths of 215 children at the former Kamloops residential school site. Our hospital recognized this horrific event by lowering our flags for 215 hours, 1 hour for each child found.
We share in the anger and grief of residential school survivors, their families, and all Indigenous peoples and communities, including our colleagues, neighbors, and the 69 First Nations in Northwestern Ontario (NWO) that our Hospital serves. Our Hospital is committed to actions to support the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action.
During the week of June 14-18, 2021, there will be a number of activities in our Hospital you can participate in, have some fun with, and showcase or increase your knowledge of Indigenous people’s culture of NWO. These activities will be posted in the daily Informed newsletter. Staff who participate will have a chance to be entered into a prize draw.
At 11 a.m. on National Indigenous Peoples Day, Monday June 21, 2021, the Hospital will host a ceremony at the front of the Hospital near the water feature. On the same day, prize winners will be announced.
We encourage you to wear orange on June 21 in recognition of the harm the residential school system did to children’s sense of self-esteem and well being, and as an affirmation of our commitment to ensure that every child matters. You can read more about the orange shirt and Phyllis Webstad’s story here: https://www.orangeshirtday.org/phyllis-story.html.
Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN) has developed lists of resources to learn more about Indigenous culture, which includes a recommended list of books. To learn more, please visit https://www.aptnnews.ca/ourstories/indigenoushistorymonth2021/. We encourage you to take the time to learn about the vibrant culture of Indigenous people of Canada.