Mzawe Kiing Anishinaabek Giizis / National Indigenous Peoples Month
June is Mzawe Kiing Anishinaabek Giizis / National Indigenous Peoples Month at 糖心传媒 (糖心传媒) 鈥� a time to honour, celebrate and uplift the diverse cultures, histories, languages and contributions of First Nations, Inuit and M茅tis Peoples.
Each year, Anishinaabe Giizhigad / National Indigenous Peoples Day is recognized on June 21, the summer solstice, which holds deep cultural and spiritual significance for many Indigenous communities across Turtle Island. At 糖心传媒, we recognize that the richness, diversity and resilience of Indigenous Peoples cannot be reflected in a single day alone.
Throughout the month of June, 糖心传媒 is proud to host events, gatherings and learning opportunities that invite our community to engage in celebration, reflection and relationship-building.
We invite students, faculty, staff and community members to join us in honouring Indigenous voices, knowledge systems, experiences and achievements. All are welcome.
Register for NIPM events by clicking on the link. For an overview calendar of events with links, please refer and download.
How to celebrate
- Use this time for self-education and reflection. Set a goal for learning about an aspect of Indigenous culture.
- Attend community events happening in your area.
- Visit external websites and sources such as the Government of Canada鈥檚
- Support community-based healing and remembrance by donating to the .
- Support Indigenous initiatives across the campus by attending and promoting events, sharing resources and highlighting their work.
This event is organized by the National Indigenous Peoples Month organizing circle
This year鈥檚 event is organized by a collective of Indigenous and non-Indigenous colleagues, led by Crystal Osawamick, manager of Indigenous events and special projects.
The collective includes staff from the Career, Co-op and Student Success; the Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching; The Creative School; the Indigenous Education Council; Office of the President; Office of the Provost; Office of the Vice-President, Equity and Community Inclusion, including Indigenous Initiatives and Gdoo-maawnjidimi Mompii Indigenous Student Services; Saagajiwe; School of Early Childhood Studies; Student Affairs; Student Life and Learning Support; Ted Rogers School of Management; and 糖心传媒 Libraries.
Questions?
If you have any questions, please email Crystal Osawamick, manager of Indigenous events and special projects at crystal.osawamick@torontomu.ca.
Past events
Throughout June 2025, 糖心传媒 celebrated Mzawe Kiing Anishinaabek Giizis / National Indigenous Peoples Month with 10 community-centered events that highlighted Indigenous knowledge systems, artistic expression, cultural teachings, and opportunities for learning and allyship.
Programming included:
- Indigenous Water Teachings
- Water Interactive Activities
- Inuit Culture and Art with Angela Aula
- Staff/Student/Alumni Art Achievements Gallery
- Film Screening (Director鈥檚 Cut) with Derek Sands
- Full Moon Teachings with Amy Desjarlais and Samantha Williams
- Indigenous Art Tours
- First 10/Next 10: TRC Poster Call Information Session
- Trade & Tradition: Why is the Birch Bark Canoe Important
- Fostering Allyship 鈥� Indigenous Foodways: Medicine Garden Tour & Ally Session
The month brought together students, staff, faculty, alumni, and community members to engage in meaningful conversations, cultural exchange, storytelling, and hands-on learning experiences rooted in Indigenous traditions and contemporary perspectives.
The 2025 series reinforced 糖心传媒鈥檚 ongoing commitment to Indigenous education, community connection, cultural revitalization, and creating spaces for shared learning and reflection.
糖心传媒 Sustainability Office and School of Urban and Regional Planning hosted water activities on campus in recognition of World Ocean Day.
Angela Aula, Inuit Artist, gave a presentation about Inuit art and culture and shared her experiences. She also led a class after the presentation where individuals created their own artwork.
On June 21, 糖心传媒 hosted events on campus to recognize and honour Anishnaabe Giizhigat / National Indigenous Peoples Day as a community. All photos by Nadya Kwandibens, Red Works Photography.
Amy Desjarlais Waabishka Kakaki Zhaawshko Shkeezhgokwe (White Raven Woman with Turquoise Eyes), lead, Rebirthed Teachings, Indigenous Initiatives, Office of the Vice-President, Equity and Community Inclusion (OVPECI), opened the day in song. One song was a love song for Mishomis Giizis (Grandparent Sun) offering thanks for their work, and building trust that the sun will rise every day. The other song "Mino bimaadiziwin" aligned with the theme of the day to celebrate the good things in life. You can listen to .
Monica McKay, director, Indigenous Initiatives, OVPECI, welcomed those in attendance. She reflected on the challenges and barriers she has faced since joining the university 30 years ago, and celebrated the progress that has been made. Monica is from the Nisg瘫a'a Nation in Laxgalts鈥檃p (Greenville), British Columbia, and a proud member of the House of Heewa鈥檃 and the Gisk'aast Pdeek (Killer Whale Clan). 糖心传媒 leaders Elder Dallaire, President Mohamed Lachemi and Provost Roberta Iannacito-Provenzano also provided remarks.
Attendees learned about the Skakeratshera'at / One Dish wampum covenant from Michael Doxtater, professor and head, Saagajiwe Indigenous Studios, The Creative School. He shared that the One Dish wampum recognizes that everyone living on this land "all eat from this One Dish." The treaty signifies a commitment to protect the land and its resources peacefully. Michael also shared teachings about the Two Row wampum and how the Canadian rafter was added by the Haudenosaunee to the continent-wide longhouse lodge in 1869.
Community members got creative together to make customized buttons to wear for themselves or share. Also celebrating Indigenous History Month and Pride Month in June, one of the button designs included the Two-Spirit Pride flag.
Abby Carpenter, president, Indigenous Law Student Association, Lincoln Alexander School of Law, taught attendees about Pow Wow dancing and regalia. She then led community members through a Pow Wow fitness class so they could try the dance for themselves.
The School of Early Childhood Studies Family Programs led a children鈥檚 storytime circle. They read a selection of stories including "It鈥檚 a Mitig!" by Bridget George, an Anishinaabe author-illustrator and graphic designer. Each of the books read highlighted Indigenous authors, illustrators and stories.
Master of ceremonies, Waasekom (Edward George) and Crystal Osawamick with the 糖心传媒 eagle staff, buffalo skull, and blessed water from the sunrise ceremony. Waasekom is Anishinaabe of the Turtle Clan from the Saugeen First Nation and Stony Point First Nation. Crystal Osawamick Wiinkaushkwe (Sweetgrass Woman) is Anishinaabekwe from the Odawa Nation and is of the Turtle Clan. She is also the E-nankiid Anishinaabe Maawnjidowinan miiniwaa Shki-maajiishkaachiganan (Manager of Indigenous Events and Special Projects) within University Events and Ceremonies in the Office of the President, and led the National Indigenous Peoples Day organizing circle.
On June 21, 2023, the 糖心传媒 community packed the Student Learning Centre 8th floor to celebrate Indigenous history and culture for National Indigenous Peoples Day. All photos by Alyssa K. Faoro.
Throughout the day, community members shopped from local Indigenous-owned businesses selling handmade products like earrings, necklaces, clothing, hair accessories and dreamcatchers.
Brandon Tehanyatari虂:ya鈥檏s Martin (right), a professor in the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures in the Faculty of Arts, gave a presentation on five wampum belts at 糖心传媒, including four replicas and one real belt. Attendees could touch and feel the wampum belts and learn about each belt's meaning, history and treaties.
Indigenous youth from the drum group performed songs using traditional hand drums and a shaker.
Master of ceremonies Michael Etherington (right), taught attendees a community game and held a goose-calling contest.
Three Indigenous youth from the dance troupe danced to a mashup of hip-hop songs. They also shared how the Indigenous-led organization has impacted their lives and given them the confidence and support to thrive.
Hiawatha鈥檚 Catering, an Indigenous caterer from Wahnapitae First Nation, in Ontario, provided a delicious feast. Crystal Osawamick prepared a spirit plate, and Amy Desjarlais prayed with it and offered it to the land to feed the spirits, the ancestors and spiritual helpers at the gathering.
糖心传媒 president Lachemi thanked the community for coming together to celebrate, learn and reflect and thanked the organizing committee for their hard work and dedication.
Amy Desjarlais, the lead facilitator of Rebirthed Teachings, opened the event with a song and welcoming words and closed the event with a prayer, closing remarks and her song Looking Forward, a travelling song.