Thank you for participating in National Indigenous History Month 2022. If you would like to continue learning click here.

Indigenous history is a shared history. What does it mean to you?



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June is an important month with a national designation to rightfully recognize, respect and learn Indigenous history as a shared history.

National Indigenous History Month (NIHM) is an opportunity to commemorate and celebrate the rich history of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people across Canada. Acknowledging the strength, diversity, and resiliency of local Indigenous communities will be taking place all throughout the month of June as we work together to build and strengthen relationships in Wood Buffalo.

Did you know the region includes six First Nations and six Métis communities? Learn more by clicking here.

A special note of gratitude to all of those who shared their wisdom, knowledge and stories for National Indigenous History Month.

Na Naskomonân – we are grateful.


How you can participate
The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB) is committed to honouring NIHM as we all continue to learn about Indigenous heritage, cultures, traditions, land and more. There are many opportunities to join in, including sharing your thoughts and stories, watching informative videos, and innovating ways to continue on the path towards truth and reconciliation.

Share your ideas
Creating change for a better future requires a community effort. We have posed a few questions in the Ideas tab below and would love to hear your perspective. How do you meaningfully connect to the land? How can we show our individual and/or collective responsibility to the Treaty? Share your ideas today!

Join the discussion
We're talking about Dene laws, sacred medicines, and the significance of the eagle feather in our discussion boards and invite you to respectfully take part in the conversations by clicking on the Discussion Board tab below.

Making an impact
Learn more about some of our region's most impactful Indigenous individuals and organizations by clicking on the Making an Impact tab below. Bios have been created to share some of their stories, and how they've made this region a better place to call home.

Play for prizes
Participate in our weekly contest for your chance to win a hand-made birchbark basket full of goodies with contributions from local Indigenous artisans and companies! You don't need to be right to win, you just need to play along! To join the fun click on the Contest tab below. What's included in the basket? Click here for a full list of items.

Join us on social
Watch the RMWB social channels to learn more about Indigenous cultures! Each week we will release new content in collaboration with Indigenous communities for Mother Earth Mondays, Wisdom Wednesdays, and Fact Fridays.

Contests

CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

Week 5: Métis Garden with Sheryl Huppie

Apples, gooseberries, medicines, and more! McMurray Métis keeps the tradition of living off the land alive by planting and caring for a garden. On this Mother Earth Monday, Indigenous Coordinator Sheryl Huppie explains how the annual practice gets both youth and Elders involved.

Thank you to those who participated in this engagement. You can learn more about this project below, or subscribe to Participate Wood Buffalo to stay connected (or get involved) with future engagement projects impacting our region.

CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

Week 4: Tobacco Teaching with Cecile Calliou

Elder Cecile Calliou joins us from her teepee, located in Fort McKay to teach us the importance of sacred tobacco and the protocols involved when offering tobacco. Watch the teaching before you enter this week's contest!

Thank you to those who participated in this engagement. You can learn more about this project below, or subscribe to Participate Wood Buffalo to stay connected (or get involved) with future engagement projects impacting our region.

CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

Week 3: Ribbon Skirt Teaching with Elder Marie "Buffy" Cheecham

Learn more about Ribbon Skirts through this teaching by Elder Marie "Buffy" Cheecham. Then submit your choice to this week's contest question below!

Please note to play you will need to sign in. This information will only be used to get in touch with the weekly contest winners. Your answer does not need to be correct to be entered into this week's contest, but you do need to play! Good luck, learn something new, and have fun!

Disclaimer: The personal information on this form is collected under the authority of Section 33 (c) of the Alberta Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. The personal information will be used to process your application/registration, administer the program and as contact information for the delivery of the gift baskets to successful participants. RMWB staff who participated in the making of this project are not eligible to participate in this contest. If you have any questions regarding the collection or use of this information contact the Advisor, Department of Indigenous and Rural Relations, 9909 Franklin Avenue, Fort McMurray, AB. T9H 2K4, or call (780)762-3676.

Thank you to those who participated in this engagement. You can learn more about this project below, or subscribe to Participate Wood Buffalo to stay connected (or get involved) with future engagement projects impacting our region.

CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

Week 2 Contest: Recipes to Try

This week, you're invited to download a few tasty recipes from local community members who have willingly shared some of their favourites. Click on any recipe below that you'd like to try, or, watch the following videos to learn how to make Bannock, Duck Soup or Indigenous Popcorn.

Please note to play you will need to sign in. This information will only be used to get in touch with the weekly contest winners. Your answer does not need to be correct to be entered into this week's contest, but you do need to play! Good luck, learn something new, and have fun!

Disclaimer: The personal information on this form is collected under the authority of Section 33 (c) of the Alberta Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. The personal information will be used to process your application/registration, administer the program and as contact information for the delivery of the gift baskets to successful participants. RMWB staff who participated in the making of this project are not eligible to participate in this contest. If you have any questions regarding the collection or use of this information contact the Advisor, Department of Indigenous and Rural Relations, 9909 Franklin Avenue, Fort McMurray, AB. T9H 2K4, or call (780)762-3676.

Thank you to those who participated in this engagement. You can learn more about this project below, or subscribe to Participate Wood Buffalo to stay connected (or get involved) with future engagement projects impacting our region.

CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

Week 1 Contest: What Kind of Warrior Are You?

Watch the following conversation with Mohawk activist and Olympian Waneek Horn-Miller before you answer this week's contest question! Please note to play you will need to sign in. This information will only be used to get in touch with the weekly contest winners. Your answer does not need to be correct to be entered into this week's contest, but you do need to play! Good luck, learn something new, and have fun!

Video Expired

Disclaimer: The personal information on this form is collected under the authority of Section 33 (c) of the Alberta Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. The personal information will be used to process your application/registration, administer the program and as contact information for the delivery of the gift baskets to successful participants. RMWB staff who participated in the making of this project are not eligible to participate in this contest. If you have any questions regarding the collection or use of this information contact the Advisor, Department of Indigenous and Rural Relations, 9909 Franklin Avenue, Fort McMurray, AB. T9H 2K4, or call (780)762-3676.

Thank you to those who participated in this engagement. You can learn more about this project below, or subscribe to Participate Wood Buffalo to stay connected (or get involved) with future engagement projects impacting our region.

Wisdom Wednesday

Offering Tobacco with Randy Marten

Join Randy Marten, member of Mikisew Cree First Nation of Fort Chipewyan, as he shares his protocol teaching when offering tobacco. We are grateful of the knowledge he shares with us and would love to hear what you learn too. Share your response to this video in the comments below.
Read and Contribute

The Indian Act with Holly Fortier

The Indian Act amendment of Bill C-31 in 1985 had a local and national impact on Indigenous women and communities, which Holly Fortier addresses in today's Fact Friday video. Holly also shares different resources that you can check out to gain a deeper understanding of these issues. Listen to Holly's teaching before sharing how different policies impact your life in this discussion. If you would like to learn more about the Indian Act, please join the It's Time to Read Book Club 21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act
Read and Contribute

Learn to Speak in Dene and Cree

Learn to introduce yourself in Dene with this teaching from Elder Patrice Mercredi from Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation. Don't forget what you learn today by downloading this lesson in Dene, and Elder Rita Marten's Cree lesson.
Read and Contribute

Residential Schools with Pawâmiw Creative

Jes Croucher of Pawâmiw Creative shares an important graphic discussing residential schools. Read the graphic before starting or adding to the discussion below. Why is it important to learn the truth about Indigenous experiences and Canada's past before pursuing reconciliation? Infographic created by Pawâmiw Creative and used with permission for NIHM.
Read and Contribute

Kitaskino Nuwenëné Wildland Park Expansion

Listen to Elder Terry Marten of Mikisew Cree First Nation as she speaks about the value of being able to carry on with traditional activities and the importance of being involved in the careful management of the Kitaskino Nuwenëné Wildland Park expansion. Mikisew Cree First Nation leads collaborative efforts between governments, industry and neighbouring nations to further expand Kitaskino Nuwenëné Wildland Park. This expansion is a significant addition to the world’s largest protected boreal forest and it further protects species at risk and important boreal watersheds. The following video has been provided with permission from Mikisew Cree First Nation. For more information on the Kitaskino Nuwenëné Wildland Park visit the Mikisew Cree First Nation
Read and Contribute

Drum teaching with Mike Mercredi

Mike Mercredi, member of Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, joins us to share his wisdom of Dene drumming.
Read and Contribute

Dene Laws with Elder Alice Rigney

Elder Alice Rigney, member of Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, shares her teaching on the Dene laws. One word Elder Alice believes every person needs to know in Dene is Neghąnıtą, which means I love you. Learn more in this video, and share how you can apply these laws in your life. Then print this poster to remind you daily! Please Note: This is an inclusive and respectful space to participate in National Indigenous History Month. Any disrespectful content will be removed from the conversation. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo.
Read and Contribute

Discussing Sacred Medicines with Elder Claire Antoine

It's Wisdom Wednesday! Elder Claire Antoine, a Metis woman from the Northwest Territories, shares her knowledge about the four commonly known sacred medicines: tobacco, sweet grass, sage, and cedar, along with diamond willow fungus native to the boreal forest. Learn about the properties of sacred medicines in our area, where it grows, and how they are used in ceremony in this video before sharing something you learned through Elder Claire's teaching in the discussion below. Please Note: This is an inclusive and respectful space to participate in National Indigenous History Month. Any disrespectful content will be removed from the conversation. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo.
Read and Contribute

Significance of the Eagle Feather and Métis Sash with Elder Robert Cree and Justin Bourque

Elder Robert Cree of Fort McMurray 468 First Nation shares a beautiful prayer in Cree and teaches us the significance of the eagle feather in Indigenous culture. We also hear from Justin Bourque of Willow Lake Métis Nation who talks about the Métis sash. Watch both videos and let us know what stands out to you in this discussion board. Please Note: This is an inclusive and respectful space to participate in National Indigenous History Month. Any disrespectful content will be removed from the conversation. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo.
Read and Contribute

Sharing Stories of the Land

There are so many stories about the land in this region. Do you know the story of Moose Lake? Did you know that the Wood Buffalo National Park is a World Heritage site and is home to some of the world's largest meadows and sedges? Watch this video from Chief Mel Grandjamb of Fort McKay First Nation introducing Moose Lake along with a video from Melody Lepine, member of Mikisew Cree First Nation, sharing information about the Peace Athabasca Delta within Wood Buffalo National Park. Learn more about the initiatives taking place in the region to protect these areas before you share stories of the land in the discussion below. Looking for more about Moose Lake? Fort McKay First Nation shares more in this video. Please Note: This is an inclusive and respectful space to participate in National Indigenous History Month. Any disrespectful content will be removed from the conversation. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in these videos are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo.
Read and Contribute

Fact Friday

Ideas

Mapping