Where to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day in Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent
People across Windsor-Essex can enjoy free access to Museum Windsor and Art Windsor-Essex on Saturday so they can take in exhibits by Indigenous artists and about Indigenous history.
The initiatives are part of a series of activities marking National Indigenous Peoples Day across Canada.
The annual celebration of the traditions, cultures and contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people was originally proclaimed as National Aboriginal Day in 1996 by then-Governor General Roméo LeBlanc, according to a history posted on the government of Canada website.
In 2017, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that the event would be renamed National Indigenous Peoples Day.
Here's some of what's taking place in Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day 2025.
Free admission to Art Windsor-Essex Part of its National Indigenous People's Day Festival, running June 19 to 21
Visitors can check out exhibits by Indigenous artists, including the new exhibit Ndishnikaaz | Nugwa'am | My name is by artist Mary Anne Barkhouse. The exhibit invites viewers to reflect on history and on the future in light of the demise of the Hudson's Bay Company.
Free admission to Museum Windsor
Visitors can explore the museum's new Original Peoples Culture and Legacy Gallery and new temporary exhibition, The Witness Blanket, developed by the Canadian Museum of Human Rights.
The Witness Blanket was created by master carver Carey Newman to recognize the atrocities of the residential school era, honour the children and symbolize ongoing reconciliation.
Inspired by a woven blanket, the cedar-framed replica artwork features hundreds of items from residential schools, survivors, churches, governments and other cultural sites across Canada.
Windsor Indigenous Solidarity Day Presented by the Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre June 21, noon to 3:30 p.m. at Mic Mac Park on Prince Road
Includes lunch, entertainment and games for kids. Organizers are asking people to bring a refillable plastic water bottle to reduce plastic waste
Events taking place on Friday, June 20
Sunrise Celebration and Networking Breakfast Friday from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. at the Deshkan Ziibi Indigenous Hub in Chatham
Local Indigenous vendor sales Every Monday and Friday in June, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Chatham Kent Health Alliance
School programs at Art Windsor-Essex Part of its National Indigenous Peoples Day Festival, June 19 to 21
Youth from across Windsor-Essex will visit the gallery to create a habitat inspired by the works of Mary Anne Barkhouse and enjoy a dance performance by hoop dancer Melissa Greenbird.
They will also discover works by Indigenous artists featured in SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS and a new exhibition featuring the works of Mary Anne Barkhouse.
Bkejwanong Summer Solstice Celebration Friday, June 20, all day at High Banks Park, Walpole Island First Nation
Includes a barbeque, music and pontoon rides.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Yahoo
Where to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day in Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent
People across Windsor-Essex can enjoy free access to Museum Windsor and Art Windsor-Essex on Saturday so they can take in exhibits by Indigenous artists and about Indigenous history. The initiatives are part of a series of activities marking National Indigenous Peoples Day across Canada. The annual celebration of the traditions, cultures and contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people was originally proclaimed as National Aboriginal Day in 1996 by then-Governor General Roméo LeBlanc, according to a history posted on the government of Canada website. In 2017, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that the event would be renamed National Indigenous Peoples Day. Here's some of what's taking place in Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day 2025. Free admission to Art Windsor-Essex Part of its National Indigenous People's Day Festival, running June 19 to 21 Visitors can check out exhibits by Indigenous artists, including the new exhibit Ndishnikaaz | Nugwa'am | My name is by artist Mary Anne Barkhouse. The exhibit invites viewers to reflect on history and on the future in light of the demise of the Hudson's Bay Company. Free admission to Museum Windsor Visitors can explore the museum's new Original Peoples Culture and Legacy Gallery and new temporary exhibition, The Witness Blanket, developed by the Canadian Museum of Human Rights. The Witness Blanket was created by master carver Carey Newman to recognize the atrocities of the residential school era, honour the children and symbolize ongoing reconciliation. Inspired by a woven blanket, the cedar-framed replica artwork features hundreds of items from residential schools, survivors, churches, governments and other cultural sites across Canada. Windsor Indigenous Solidarity Day Presented by the Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre June 21, noon to 3:30 p.m. at Mic Mac Park on Prince Road Includes lunch, entertainment and games for kids. Organizers are asking people to bring a refillable plastic water bottle to reduce plastic waste Events taking place on Friday, June 20 Sunrise Celebration and Networking Breakfast Friday from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. at the Deshkan Ziibi Indigenous Hub in Chatham Local Indigenous vendor sales Every Monday and Friday in June, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Chatham Kent Health Alliance School programs at Art Windsor-Essex Part of its National Indigenous Peoples Day Festival, June 19 to 21 Youth from across Windsor-Essex will visit the gallery to create a habitat inspired by the works of Mary Anne Barkhouse and enjoy a dance performance by hoop dancer Melissa Greenbird. They will also discover works by Indigenous artists featured in SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS and a new exhibition featuring the works of Mary Anne Barkhouse. Bkejwanong Summer Solstice Celebration Friday, June 20, all day at High Banks Park, Walpole Island First Nation Includes a barbeque, music and pontoon rides.
Hamilton Spectator
21 hours ago
- Hamilton Spectator
First-year student honoured to be chosen for Reconciliation in Action Award
Graduates at the Prince Albert Campus of Saskatchewan Polytechnic crossed the stage at the Art Hauser Centre on Thursday. The convocation ceremony took place in two parts with a morning and afternoon session. Jade Littlechief, a first-year student in Resource and Environmental Law program, received the Reconciliation in Action Award. Littlechief, who is originally from White Bear First Nations in the southeast, said he was shocked to be recognized as a first-year student. 'I was very surprised, but also it was a very big boost, and with how I feel about education and all that I'm very honoured to be selected for it,' he said. 'I know that the best way I could explain is (to say) I wasn't expecting that especially within my first year of school. 'I'm very appreciative, but also honoured to be able to be selected for an award like that.' Littlechief said he offers a different perspective as one of the only Indigenous students in the program 'This program really revolves around conservation and stewardship of the land, and a lot of these graduates are going to be conservation officers after this program many years down the road,' he said. 'I think it's very important for myself, but also future Indigenous students to be in this program, just to get that future understanding of the differences and all that and just being able to have that first-hand experience with different points of view.' Littlechief was inspired to join the program at the age of 16 he went to a museum in Regina and saw all of the prop animals. At the time he was still figuring out what he wanted to do after graduating. 'I didn't have any idea,' he said. 'I was a bit stumped, but then when I came across that, I (thought) I want to be around this all the time. I grew up around this stuff, but what can I do as a career to be around this?' He turned to his school guidance counsellor for advice and they pointed him to resource and environmental law. 'There was a bit of a hiccup getting to finishing school and then once I did finish school, I was like, OK, I'm going to apply for it now and then I eventually got in,' Littlechief said. 'It was one of the main things that kept me going for finishing school.' Another important thing that led him to the program was his upbringing. His grandfather liked the outdoors and did a lot of hunting and trapping. 'Throughout my early life, he exposed it to a lot of stuff like that,' Littlechief said. 'It didn't come to a surprise when it came down to like already having that mentality of stewardship.' As a volunteer in the Wîcihitowin Transition Program, Littlechief inspires adult learners by sharing his educational journey. He said the Transition Program helps student adapt to post-secondary life. Littlechief said the program brought in speakers to help the students adapt before other students were on campus. 'That's what I thought was really important and probably helped a lot of students that year and the year prior,' he explained. 'It builds a little bit of (a) relationship to have people eager to come in.' Littlechief is a member of White Bear First Nations in southeastern Saskatchewan but studies in Prince Albert because the campus is the only one to offer the program. He said no matter where the program was located he knew he would commit two years of his life to it. 'Once you commit to something and push yourself, it's so rewarding,' Littlechief said. Littlechief said he wished he could pass the lesson on to other people. 'Just being able to set your mind to something and want to complete it, all in, it's one of the best feelings and I wish everybody could experience it,' he said. 'You never know what can happen. Just being yourself.' Littlechief said he did not expect to be selected for an award and just thought he would be completing his program. 'I was just being myself though,' he explained. 'I got to talk with people and get to know people. I was inspired just from being at school and then that's where I was like, 'oh, how can I bring this home to my community.'' Littlechief also engages with his band to promote sustainable, land-based practices, reflecting his dedication to positive change and community advocacy. He is also an Indigenous role model for 2026. 'That's where I was just like, 'I want to be able to fulfil my goal of being a Conservation Officer,'' Littlechief said. He explained that he wants to start something of his own to make the program easier for future students who want to be Conservation Officers. 'I was thinking about what the possibilities can be and each time I go into the classroom, it gets closer and closer and closer,' he said. 'I think two years ago I felt like it was just work and then now it's that I want to create opportunity. I think it's very important for future students to just push through because it's super rewarding and you never know what's in store for you.' Dr. Has Malik, Provost and Vice President, Academic gave the speech before Littlechief received the award from Larry Rosia the President and CEO of Saskatchewan Polytechnic. Prince Albert Carlton MLA Kevin Kasun brought greetings from the province, Sask Polytechnic Board Chair Mitch Holash brought greetings from the board and brought greetings from the Saskatchewan Polytechnic Students' Association. Rosia also gave the President's Address. Micah Daniels from Sturgeon Lake played an honour song and Elder Violet Naytowhow said the prayer to open the ceremony before Kim Villeneauve sang 'O Canada'. During the morning and afternoon session philanthropist and Entrepeneur Jim Pattison received the 2025 Honorary Degree in Applied Studies, which will be awarded by Rosia on June 24 in Vancouver. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Hamilton Spectator
a day ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Graham Claus, descendant of Wilderness owners, returns in private visit
Graham Claus, 96, returned to his ancestral family home, the Wilderness, last Wednesday, with his family by his side and 'overwhelmed' with emotion. After a long period of disconnection from an important piece of family history, Claus, the oldest living descendant of the original Wilderness owners, got to see a private viewing of an indelible part of his family history before the end of his life. Graham Claus is five generations descended from the original owners of the Wilderness property, a place which has historical significance, and recognized by the town of Niagara-on-the-Lake as a heritage property in 1994. The Claus family was also joined by members of the Niagara Foundation, which now owns the property. They gave him a framed picture of the property in his honour. Claus said a lot of research went into tracing his roots into this property. 'I started doing research about 40 years ago,' he said. 'I discovered 10 rails of microfilm, and I went to the archives in Ottawa, Toronto, and the public library in St. Catharines, where I met Ruth Parker's daughter.' Parker one of three sisters who owned the property. She died in 2013. 'She helped me a lot,' Claus said of Parker's daughter. The Wilderness property, located at 407 King St. and bordering Regent Street, is on the site of a residential home that goes back to the 18th century. The property has served many uses over time. It was first a meeting place between a European-descended owner and Six Nations people, who presented Ann Johnson Claus with the land the home is on for her 'many deeds of kindness.' These include her father, Sir William Johnson, who negotiated the Treaty of Niagara with 24 First Nations groups in 1764. Johnson Claus' son, the Hon. William Claus, built the first house on the land, which was destroyed by the American army's arson during the War of 1812. After the original house was burned, a new one was built on the same five-acre land in 1816, which serves as the current building with alterations and additions done as recently as the 1970s. The house served as a hospital during the 1820s and eventually took on its current name, the Wilderness, at the beginning of the 20th century. But the site is also notable as a place of natural beauty on top of its history with humans. There is a large gingko tree on the property and sycamore trees line its King Street boundary, making this a unique place. 'There's so much history, whether it's Indigenous, British military, or horticultural history,' said Lyle Hall, chair of the Niagara Foundation. After Ruth Parker died, she left half of the property in the hands of the Niagara Foundation, which eventually bought out the remaining half of the from Ken Reid and took over the whole property again last year. The foundation has been doing restoration efforts on the property ever since and started accepting visitors earlier this month. They also launched a $1 million campaign to help in these efforts. 'This is true to Ruth's wishes,' said Hall. 'We're rehabilitating the house and bringing in some kind of programming.' Last Wednesday, the story came right back to Claus. It also goes directly back through his family line all the way to the founding of the Wilderness, a history that is not likely to ever be lost on him, and which he finally gets to see for himself. 'I'm still humbled and honoured to be invited,' he said. daniel@ Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
