Resources for National Indigenous Peoples Day and beyond
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Indigenous partnershipsPublished
2026-06-21June 21st is National Indigenous Peoples Day in Canada.
Celebrated during the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year and first official day of summer, this is a time that holds great significance in many cultures.
National Indigenous Peoples Day is acknowledged as a day to recognize and celebrate the diverse histories, cultures, and achievements of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis in Canada. There are many ways to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day, such as attending a local event, supporting an Indigenous business, or taking some further steps in your personal learning journey about the Rights, histories, experiences, cultures, and achievements of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis.
Non-Indigenous peoples in Canada have been called upon to take action on reconciliation in concrete ways, to mainstream principles of reconciliation in our day to day lives. We recognize that Indigenous governance of lands, freshwater and seas can provide a powerful mechanism for achieving effective conservation and advancing (re)conciliation in the places where we work. Colonial systems and practices have put biodiversity at risk and Western conservation science approaches have played a significant role in colonialism in Canada and elsewhere. Weaving atonement into action, it is time to support and center Indigenous leadership in conservation research and land management - working alongside and behind Indigenous Rightsholders towards mutually beneficial goals. We respect the inherent connections between social, cultural, and ecological health and continuously seek to understand what this means for our work as conservation researchers, practitioners, and individuals living in Canada.
Some Ways to Celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day
Below, we provide a curated list of resources and learning opportunities for you to take part in this National Indigenous Peoples Day.
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Events - June 21
To tune in nationally, we recommend joining National Indigenous Peoples Day Live with APTN. We also highly recommend exploring local opportunities to get involved!
The Government of Canada provides a List of National Indigenous Peoples Day Events – find events near you by applying the ‘National Indigenous Peoples Day’ filter, and sorting by location.
It’s important that we familiarize ourselves with community and cultural protocols and other responsibilities we hold as guests prior to attending an event. Protocols are distinct and vary between and across communities.You can do so by visiting a specific community or event’s website, a local friendship center, or seeking other available community-led supports.
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National Indigenous Peoples Day Resources
Learn more about what National Indigenous Peoples Day is, how it came to be, why it’s important, and how you can celebrate.
- What, why and how to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day
- National Indigenous Peoples Day: 10 Ways to Celebrate
- 11 Ways to Virtually Celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day
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Reading lists and resources
Key sources for Indigenous-authored resources and publications.
- Strong Nations Indigenous Book Store
- The Conservation through Reconciliation Partnership (CRP)
- Canada Conservation Pathway Initiative - Indigenous Leadership
- Indigenous Leadership Initiative (ILI)
- IISAAK OLAM Foundation
- National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR)
- Indigenous Climate Action (ICA)
- The Restore, Assert, Defend (RAD) Network
- Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources (CIER)
- Assembly of First Nations (AFR)
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Books by Indigenous Authors
Bev Sellars
- They Called Me Number One: Secrets and Survival at an Indian Residential School
- Price Paid: The Fight for First Nations Survival
Crystal Gail Fraser
- By Strength, We Are Still Here: Indigenous Peoples and Indian Residential Schooling in Inuvik, Northwest Territories
- Talk Treaty to Me: Understanding the Basics of Treaties and Land in Canada
Leanne Betasamosake Simpson
- A Short History of the Blockade - Giant Beavers, Diplomacy, and Regeneration in Nishnaabewin
- As We Have Always Done - Indigenous Freedom Through Radical Resistance
- Dancing on Our Turtle's Back
- Islands of Decolonial Love
- Noopiming
- Rehearsals for Living by Robyn Maynard & Leanne Betasamosake Simpson
- The Gift is in the Making
- This Accident of Being Lost
Max Liboiron
Mazine Giizhik (The Honourable Murray Sinclair CC)
Michel Jean
Richard Wagamese
- A Quality of Light
- Embers: One Ojibway's Meditations
- Indian Horse
- Medicine Walk
- One Drum: Stories and Ceremonies for a Planet
- One Native Life
- One Story, One Song
Robert (Bob) P.C. Joseph & Indigenous Corporate Training Inc.
- 21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act
- 27 Tips on What to Say and Do When Working Effectively with Indigenous Peoples
- Dispelling Common Myths about Indigenous Peoples - 9 Myths & Realities
- Guidebook to Indigenous Protocols
- Indigenous Relations: Insights, Tips and Suggestions to make Reconciliation a Reality
Robin Wall Kimmerer
Stephanie & Sara Sinclair
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Indigenous-written Blogs
- Connecting With Rivers: Reflections From Moose Cree Youth Ocean Skye Phillips
- Reflecting On Canadian Mountain Network’s Knowledge Sharing Summit 2023
- Honouring Indigenous Women in Conservation: A Fellowship Rooted in Collaboration
- Braiding Knowledges Canada (BKC)
- Conservation through Reconciliation Partnership
- First Peoples Law
- Indigenous Climate Hub
- Indigenous Corporate Training Inc. Working Effectively with Indigenous Peoples
- Indigenous Leadership Initiative
- Restore, Assert, Defend (RAD) Network
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Publications
- Towards reconciliation: 10 Calls to Action to natural scientists working in Canada by Wong et al (2020)
- Invitation to ethical space: A dialogue on sustainaibility and reconciliation by Crowshoe & Lertzman (2020)
- "Two-Eyed Seeing": An Indigenous framework to transform fisheries research and management by Reid et al (2020)
- Decolonizing geoscience requires more than equity and inclusion by Liboiron (2021)
- Centering Indigenous Voices: The Role of Fire in the Boreal Forest of Norther America by Christianson et al (2022)
- Occupancy, movement, and behaviour of namew (lake sturgeon Acipenser fulvescens) in an intact river in Canada by Farrell et al (2024)
- Worldview violence and Non-Human People in (conservation) science by Gonet (2024)
- Ecological research 'in a good way' means ethical and equitable relationships with Indigenous Peoples and Lands by Reid et al (2024)
- Time to support Indigenous Science by Wall Kimmerer & Artelle (2024)
- Reflecting on the "10 Calls to Action to Natural Scientists" 5 years later: How do we keep moving forward on reconciliation? By Wong et al (2025)
- Indigenous Films & Videos
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Indigenous Podcasts
APTN podcasts
Indigenous Conservation & Land Relations podcasts
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Other actions
- Buy from Indigenous Businesses or attend an Indigenous Market
- Look through the CCAB Member List
- Support Indigenous Artists or visit an Indigenous Art Exhibit
- Listen to Indigenous Musicians
- Take an Indigenous-led course or training opportunity
- Learn more about the social, political, cultural, economic & legal landscapes you live and work in.
- Learn about Inherent, Aboriginal & Treaty Rights in your area.
- Connect with and support a local friendship center.
- Seek Indigenous-led resources to further your understanding in these topic areas.
