Celebrate National Aboriginal History Month at Guelph Museums

Guelph, Ont., June 13, 2017 — National Aboriginal History Month will be marked at Guelph Museums with several events planned in partnership with local First Nations, Metis and Inuit leaders.

On Wednesday, June 14, as part of the Building Canada Lecture series, the Museums and University of Guelph will host a panel discussion about Research relationships with Indigenous communities. Panelists include Brittany Luby, Hannah Tait Neufeld, Steve Crawford, Chief Nadjiwon, Councillor Paul Jones and moderator Malcolm Campbell, vice president of research at the University of Guelph. The lecture begins at 7 p.m.

A KAIROS Blanket Exercise is set for Saturday, June 17 at 2 p.m. The Blanket Exercise is a facilitated, interactive approach to learning Indigenous history and will be followed by a sharing circle debrief.

A Truth and Reconciliation Sharing Circle will be held Thursday, June 22 at 6:30 p.m. and will include hand drumming and the development of a plan of action for our community led by men of the local sharing and drum circle.

From June 17 to 22, the Museums will host Zoongeheshkwaad, a display of artwork by Upper Grand District School Board elementary and high school students that promotes equity and diversity in the classroom for First Nations, Métis and Inuit students.

Loosely translated, Zoongeheshkwaad means “to help someone move forward in a good way, to encourage others to move ahead together,” says Colinda Clyne, Upper Grand District School Board curriculum lead for Equity/First Nations, Métis, Inuit Education.

All events take place at Guelph Civic Museum, 52 Norfolk Street. For more information, visit guelphmuseums.ca.