President Steenkamp: Happy National Indigenous Peoples Month

Happy National Indigenous Peoples Month!

The month of June is an opportunity to celebrate Indigenous heritage, culture and food, and also a time to learn, connect and grow together. 

I had the honour to join Emerging Indigenous Scholars Chair Shauneen Pete and Campus Patrol Officer Stanley Chipps to raise the Canadian Indigenous flag on the traditional Lands of the Lekwungen-speaking Peoples, the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations. I am grateful to both for the shared experience, (and to Dr. Pete for embracing Royal Roads’ value of courage way up there!)

The Canadian Indigenous Flag, designed by the late Kwakwaka’wakw artist Curtis Wilson, is a beautiful representation of swimming salmon along the edges and an orca whale inside the maple leaf. The talented artist, also known as Mulidzas, described the design as “standing together in support of each other.”

And coming together in support of one another is a big part of what this month is all about. It means actively participating in the journey of decolonization and reconciliation, challenging false narratives, and seeking out the true stories and voices of Indigenous peoples. By standing together, we can foster a deeper understanding and respect for each other's cultures and histories – every day of the year. 

Visit the National Indigenous Peoples Month and Day webpage for more videos, voices and resources and information on NIPD celebrations here on campus. You can also find educational resources including a link to the Library’s digital display.