The Métis have made their mark on this land through their rich history, vibrant traditions, and colourful heritage. In 2003, the Supreme Court of Canada officially acknowledged Métis as one of three distinct Indigenous Peoples in Canada.

Gathering is a sacred practice in Indigenous cultures. It is a time of traditional renewal, community connection, knowledge sharing, and celebration. However, due to the impacts of colonization, it is increasingly difficult in modern Métis life for community members to gather.

The path to reconciliation begins with overcoming the physical and social barriers created by colonial institutions and the cultural erasure efforts that many Indigenous Peoples face living in remote areas.

Creating safe, supportive spaces for Indigenous Peoples requires a thoughtful approach, with an understanding of the challenges and struggles that have led to spiritual disconnection. This can be done using traditional healing elements, Indigenous worldviews, and education about how systemic institutions have inflicted trauma on Indigenous Peoples for generations.

Learning is a lifelong commitment that goes beyond the classroom. For Indigenous Peoples, curating knowledge about the land and culture is equally as important as math or science. However, many First Nation schools struggle to provide access to land-based learning due to funding restrictions.

The first word a child utters defines who they are, where they have come from, and the culture they are born into. Nêhiyawêwin is the language spoken by the Nêhiyawak (Cree) people, the largest Indigenous group in Canada. For generations, Nêhiyawak culture and traditions have been deeply interwoven with its language, which has struggled to survive due to the impacts of colonization.

Disappearing Indigenous ways of knowing can lead to cultural erasure and a loss of self, a critical issue facing many communities. There remains an ongoing need for Indigenous-focused initiatives that foster healing, strengthen cultural identity, and rebuild what has been damaged through loss of language, traditions, and spiritual connection. Finding opportunities to strengthen Indigenous identity is vital, and language revitalization is an important aspect of this.

Long renowned for their canoe building and carving skills, the Sto:lo people of Sumas First Nation have lived on the shores of the Fraser River in British Columbia for countless generations. Their ancient culture has been guided by the waterways surrounding them. However, the impacts of colonization have caused some of their vital traditional skills to be lost or forgotten.

As a time for renewal and connection, summer has held an important place in the hearts of Indigenous Peoples for countless generations. For those living in remote or rural areas more likely to see harsher winters, summer can be a time of relief. However, as the number of wildfires increases each year, summer is quickly becoming a season to fear. After a devastating fire swept through Lytton, British Columbia in 2021, the effects exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, that fear caused traditional celebrations to be paused.

The building of a birch bark canoe, known as wiigwaas jiimaan in Anishinaabemowin, is a sacred act in Anishinaabek culture. The canoe represents the physical connection to the water, the land, and to one another.