National Indigenous History Month at York celebrates and honours Indigenous community members. It is a time to learn from and engage with Indigenous peoples, cultures, languages, and the ways in which they have shaped Canada.
National Indigenous Peoples Day falls on June 21, the summer solstice, which is the longest day of the year. It is a day to recognize the diversity of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples.
National Indigenous History Month and National Indigenous Peoples Day provide opportunities for celebration. Indigenous community members will be spending time with family and community and invite non-Indigenous people to learn from participating in events taking place. It is an important time for settlers to learn about First Nations, Métis, and Inuit histories, cultures, lifeways, and the treaties that continue to have significance in the relationships between Indigenous peoples and all Canadians.
Throughout the month of June, we will highlight stories from Indigenous community members at York. You are invited to follow along and share your story using #IndigenousatYU and #IndigenousHistoryMonth.
Read President Lenton's 2025 statement to learn more about York's commitment
National Indigenous History Month at York
The Associate Vice President of Indigenous Initiatives amplifies Indigenous voices, advances Indigenous scholarship, and promote the inclusion of Indigenous knowledges and languages within all aspects of university life.
Centre for Indigenous Student Services
The Centre for Indigenous Student (CISS) Services strives to create a sense of belonging and to support the academic, spiritual, physical, and emotional well-being of a diverse Indigenous student population. CISS provides a safe community space that offers culturally appropriate support services and programs to facilitate students' success throughout their post-secondary studies.
The Centre for Indigenous Knowledges and Languages
CIKL is the first Organized Research Unit at York University centered on Indigenous and decolonizing scholarship, and hosts Indigenous and non-Indigenous researchers and students engaged in these areas.
Engage and Learn
Non-fictional reading: Indigenous History Month
York U Libraries has curated a selection of non-fictional works by Indigenous authors.
Find your next read here.
Leisure Reading: Indigenous History Month
York U Libraries has curated a selection of fictional works by Indigenous authors.
Find your next read here.
Watch: Film selections for Indigenous History Month
York U Libraries has curated a selection of Indigenous films.
Find your next watch here.
Featured Stories
New sculpture at Glendon rooted in Indigenous culture, healing
A new sculpture, "Ancient Country Seat," has been unveiled at York University’s Glendon College, representing a significant addition to the University's artistic landscape and a unique intersection of Indigenous culture and education.
Created by Secwépemc artist Tania Willard, "Ancient Country Seat" is a flower-bench sculpture designed to engage students, faculty and visitors in a dialogue about identity, connection to the land and the role of art in addressing cultural narratives.
Miinkaanensing - Indigenous Reading Room
In a collaborative effort to support Indigenous students and their learning experiences, York University Libraries’ (YUL) has opened the Miinkaanensing (pronounced mee-ni-kahn-en-sing) Indigenous Reading Room.
Indigenous teaching at York U embraces reciprocity and connection
John Waaseyaabin Hupfield (Anishinaabe, Wasauksing First Nation) teaches two courses in the Faculty of Education: Indigeneity and Territory in Cultural Traditions, a graduate studies class, and Place and Learning, an undergraduate educational studies course. The courses, like much of Indigenous education, hinge on the teaching of reciprocity, what Hupfield calls “the idea of giving back.”
Indigenous Presence highlighted at DEDI Symposium in September 2024
This video of a presentation from the DEDI Symposium (Sept. 2024) focuses on the work of Indigenous students, faculty and staff. As Indigenous people we have always had our own ways of making and sharing Knowledge. Yet Institutions of formal schooling have often failed to recognize Indigenous approaches to teaching, learning and research.
Exhibitions exploring ancestral knowledge and colonial legacy at York’s Goldfarb Gallery
The Joan and Martin Goldfarb Gallery of York University is proud to present two powerful solo exhibitions by international artists: A Painting is a Coin by Andrea Carlson and When Water Embraces Empty Space by Tuấn Andrew Nguyễn. Both shows center ancestral knowledge, legacy, and cultural continuity, offering politically resonant works that challenge colonial narratives.
York U professor champions Indigenous cultural preservation
In a powerful intersection of art, history and Indigenous rights, Ann Marie Murnaghan, a professor in the Children, Childhood and Youth Program at York University, is leading a groundbreaking research project focused on the K’ëgit totem pole.
York launches new module to advance equity, Indigenous research excellence
York University continues to lead in decolonization, equity, diversity, and inclusion efforts with the launch of a new module that will help faculty members better understand and evaluate Indigenous research excellence.
Biskaabiiyaang: The Indigenous Metaverse
The first wholly autonomous The Indigenous Metaverse is a York University-funded project to develop an Indigenized curriculum and create experiential education opportunities has joined the UNESCO organization to promote and protect endangered Indigenous languages. Learn more
Community Reflections on National Indigenous Month and National Indigenous Peoples Day
Michelle Letourneau
Michelle Letourneau is a member of the Curve Lake First Nation. She was born here in Tkaronto and raised in Regent Park. She was honoured to attend and graduate from York University in the Waaban Teacher Education Program (Oct 2023). Michelle is currently working as an Occasional Teacher for the Toronto District School board and will continue her studies in September in the Masters of Education (MEd) - Urban Indigenous Education Cohort.
