Indigenous Peoples Day: A Reflection from Lainy Beaver

Written by Lainy Beaver

Today, June 21st is Indigenous Peoples Day. Lainy Beaver is a Beader and Project Coordinator here at the John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights.

As a 60's scooper, Indigenous Peoples Day was unknown to me as a child. Presently, I emphasize the need to share and teach my 2 children about our Indigenous cultural background, and ancestral roots. With society acknowledging and embracing this day we are all on the right path to collaboration, understanding, reconciliation and unity. I encourage all to take the time to learn more about the Indigenous peoples that reside in and around the communities you reside in. On this day of reconciliation, please support your local Indigenous business and walk with us to a path to peace, collaboration, understanding and unity. This year is unlike any other, there is much work left to be done, although we are on the right path. My daughter can go to school, hold her head high and say, "yes, this is our day and I am proud to be Indigenous." Unfortunately this was not always the case and this speaks volumes. The next step is to make it a statutory holiday so everyone can take the time to attend events without missing work. I ask the non-Indigenous people and allies to continue to take the time to learn about Indigenous culture, traditions, ceremonies and arts. Hiy Hiy

If you would like to know more about Lainy, please visit her instagram: https://www.instagram.com/owleyesbylainybeaver2021/

Here is Lainy's online shop for her beading: https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/OwlEyesbyLainyBeaver