SE First Nations Inuit and Metis Program

As we continue with recognizing National Indigenous History Month, it is essential that we recognize Indigenous achievements as an important part of reconciliation. For generations, Indigenous Peoples contributions have been overlooked or underrepresented. By uplifting these stories, we not only honour individual accomplishments, but also acknowledge the strength, leadership, creativity and innovation that continues to shape communities across Canada.

Below are a few individuals whose leadership and impact continue to inspire:

🌿 The Right Honourable Mary Simon: Mary Simon made history in 2021 as Canada’s first Indigenous Governor General. An Inuk leader from Nunavik, she has spent her career advancing Inuit rights, culture, and youth, and amplifying Indigenous voices on the global stage.Her leadership continues to build bridges and elevate Indigenous voices across Canada and globally.

🌿 The Honourable Murray Sinclair: Murray Sinclair, an Anishinaabe leader from Peguis First Nation, dedicated his life to truth, justice, and reconciliation. As Chief Commissioner of the TRC, he helped honour Survivors’ voices and guide Canada forward through the 94 Calls to Action. His legacy continues to guide Canada’s ongoing journey toward truth, healing, and reconciliation.

🌿 Christi Belcourt: Christi Belcourt is a celebrated Métis artist whose work reflects the beauty of the natural world and the strength of Indigenous cultures. She is a passionate advocate for environmental stewardship, cultural revitalization, and community connection. In 2014 Christi Belcourt co-founded the Onaman Collective, which aims to preserve traditional knowledge, language and teachings, while working to connect Traditional Knowledge Keepers and Elders with Indigenous youth, and engages in advocacy around water protection.

These individuals represent just a small number of the many Indigenous leaders, artists, knowledge keepers, and innovators whose contributions continue to shape communities across Canada.

Celebrating Indigenous achievements is not only about looking to the past. It is also about recognizing the ongoing leadership, creativity, and resilience present in Indigenous communities today.

Don’t forget to register for the FREE webinar series for National Indigenous History Month. The third webinar being held on June 29, 2026, at 12:00pm EST, will feature Labrador Inuk nurse, Hilary Fry, who will share her lived experience and understanding of Inuit health in Canada. Registration is required. https://fnim.sehc.com/event/indigenous-history-month-3-part-webinar-series-june-1-2026/

Today, we recognize and celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day! ☀️

Observed each year on June 21st, the summer solstice, this day honours the rich cultures, languages, traditions and contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples across Canada.

For generations, this time of year has held deep cultural and spiritual significance - a time of renewal, connection and celebration within many Indigenous communities.

Today is a moment to celebrate the strength and resilience of Indigenous Peoples, while also reflecting on our shared responsibility to listen, learn, and support meaningful reconciliation. It is an opportunity to uplift Indigenous voices, honour knowledge and teachings, and continue building respectful relationships rooted in understanding and partnership.

Let’s take time to celebrate, reflect and commit to walking forward together towards reconciliation.

Original artwork by artist Bada Jean https://www.badajean.com/

Today is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.

We honour and uplift Indigenous Elders - Knowledge Keepers, teachers, and leaders who carry generations of wisdom, culture and resilience. Their care, guidance, and teachings continue to strengthen communities across Turtle Island.

At the same time, we must acknowledge a difficult reality.

Elder abuse remains a serious and often hidden issue:

- In Canada, 1 in 10 older adults experience some form of elder abuse each year
- Violence against seniors is often underreported due to fear, stigma, or dependence on caregivers
- Indigenous Peoples continue to face higher rates of victimization, shaped by the ongoing impacts of colonialism and systemic inequities

For Indigenous Elders, this harm is compounded by intergenerational trauma and barriers to culturally safe supports.

Today is not only about awareness - it is about action. We all share a responsibility to create safer spaces, listen deeply, and stand up against all forms of abuse and neglect. Let us honour Elders not only in words, but in how we protect, respect, and care for them - today and every day.

Looking to strengthen your practice and continue your learning journey?

We’re excited to share upcoming educational opportunities designed to support ongoing skill development and culturally safe care!

Multidisciplinary Refresher Series: Join us for an upcoming Multidisciplinaroy session on Delegation of Skills, offering practical insights to support safe, effective, and collaborative care delivery.

National Indigenous History Month Webinar Series There’s still time to participate - two remaining webinars will continue to centre Indigenous voices, knowledge, and experiences, fostering learning, reflection, and meaningful action.

Whether you’re building your clinical skills or deepening your understanding of Indigenous health and culture, these sessions are a valuable opportunity to learn, connect, and grow.

Register now and be part of the conversation! https://fnim.sehc.com/

As we continue our recognition of National Indigenous History Month, we want to take a moment to highlight several key events in Indigenous history that have shaped Canada. Understanding these moments helps us deepen our awareness of the experiences, resilience, and contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples.

Did you know…

🌸 There are more than 630 First Nation communities in Canada, representing over 50 distinct Nations and more than 50 Indigenous languages. This diversity reflects a vast range of governance systems, cultural traditions, worldviews, and knowledge systems that have flourished on these lands for thousands of years. Each Nation carries its own history, innovations, and contributions that continue to shape Canada today.

🌸 The Métis Nation developed its own distinct language, Michif, blending Cree, French, and other Indigenous linguistic traditions. Michif is recognized as one of the most unique and complex mixed languages in the world. Its creation reflects the creativity, adaptability, and cultural richness of Métis communities.

🌸 Inuit have developed some of the most advanced Arctic survival technologies in human history. Tools such as the qajaq (kayak), ulu (women’s knife), iglu, and dog sled systems are globally recognized for their engineering brilliance and efficiency in extreme climates.

This history is only a small part of a much bigger, ongoing story. Indigenous history includes hardship, but it is also a story of strength, leadership, creativity, and strong cultural knowledge that continues today.

As we observe Indigenous History Month, we encourage everyone to continue learning, reflecting, and engaging with the stories and voices of Indigenous communities.

Don’t forget to register for the FREE webinar series for National Indigenous History Month. The second webinar will be held on June 15, 2026, at 12:00pm EST featuring Terry Swan, a Sixties Scoop survivor who will be sharing her story. Registration is required. https://fnim.sehc.com/event/indigenous-history-month-3-part-webinar-series-june-1-2026/

This World Environment Day, we pause in gratitude for the land that sustains us.

We recognize that the land we live, work and play on has been cared for since time immemorial by Indigenous Peoples - stewards whose knowledge, teachings and relationships with the Earth continue to guide us. Indigenous worldviews remind us that we are not separate from the land, but part of an interconnected system rooted in responsibility, reciprocity and care for future generations.

Land Acknowledgements are more than words - they are a privilege and a responsibility. They ask us to reflect on our place, honour those who came before us, and commit to walking forward in a way that is respectful and appreciative of the land. They centre Indigenous Peoples as ongoing stewards of the land and invite us to deepen our relationship with it.

Today and every day, may we move beyond acknowledgement into action - caring for the land, water, and all living beings, so that future generations may thrive. 🌍️

Pride Month is a time to celebrate love, identity, and belonging, while also honouring and celebrating the deep and enduring presence of all 2SLGBTQI+ peoples, including Indigenous Two-Spirit Peoples! 🏳️‍🌈

Two-Spirit (2S) is a culturally specific identity used by some Indigenous people to describe the interconnectedness of gender, sexuality, spirituality, and community roles within Indigenous worldviews. Long before colonization, many Indigenous Nations recognized and respected gender diversity, where Two-Spirit people were often honoured as knowledge keepers, healers, and leaders.

This Pride Month, we celebrate the strength, resilience, and resurgence of all 2SLGBTQI+ voices, and reaffirm our commitment to creating safer, more inclusive spaces that uplift Indigenous 2SLGBTQI+ communities.

Let’s continue to learn, listen, and walk together in kindness and celebration! 🌈

As we begin June, we are proud to recognize National Indigenous History Month - a time to honor the histories, cultures, and contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples across Canada!

This month invites us to deepen our understanding of the diverse Indigenous communities whose stories have shaped, and continue to shape, the land we live and work on. It is also an opportunity to reflect on the truths of our shared history and the ongoing work of reconciliation.

As part of our recognition of National Indigenous History Month, we are honored to share that SE Health commissioned the incredible artist, Bada Jean (https://www.badajean.com/), who is a Nêhiyaw (Cree), Dene and Welsh visual artist from Treaty 6 and 7 territory, to develop beautiful original artwork, which you are seeing here. This piece is titled, ‘Northern Light Dancers’.

We also encourage you to join the SE Health First Nations, Inuit and Métis Program for a special FREE 3-part webinar series for National Indigenous History Month. The first webinar is today (June 1, 2026) at 12:00pm EST, featuring Jacqueline Lauzon, who will share her life experiences from her Métis perspective, including how her lived experiences have influenced her health and wellbeing.

Registration is required for these webinars: https://fnim.sehc.com/event/indigenous-history-month-3-part-webinar-series-june-1-2026/

Have you registered yet for our FREE 3-part webinar series for National Indigenous History Month? Registration is still open!

This webinar series will share three personal stories from First Nation, Inuit, and Métis individuals, honouring and celebrating the vital role of culture, history, and identity in shaping their lived experiences and wellbeing.

In Webinar 1 on June 1st, Jacqueline Lauzon will share life experiences from her Métis perspective, including how her lived experiences have influenced her health and wellbeing.

In Webinar 2 on June 15th, Terry Swan will speak to how and where we come from continues to shape not only who we are, but how we heal, reconnect, and return to ourselves.

In Webinar 3 on June 29th, Hilary Fry will share her lived experience and understanding of Inuit health in Canada.

Registration for these webinars is required. Click the link to register.
https://lnkd.in/edsfhZcN