Toolkit – ISSofBC: Welcome to Our Homelands – A greeting from Canada’s First Peoples to newcomers

ISSofBC is very pleased to announce the formal launch of the Welcome to our Homelands in celebration of National Indigenous Day (June 21, 2020).   This engaging seven-minute video provides a glimpse of Aboriginal history in Canada and is highlighted by Indigenous representatives from across Canada — from the Gwayee in BC to the Six Nations in Ontario – extending welcoming messages in their respective languages to newcomers.   Given recent events that have increased awareness about racism in Canada, particularly, racism targeting historically-misrepresented groups like Indigenous Peoples, we believe a video like Welcome to our Homelands which highlights the richly-diverse cultures and pain-filled history of the Indigenous Peoples of Canada and features special greetings from the First Peoples to newcomers, will contribute towards the national process of reconciliation.   This educational video targeting new immigrants and refugees is one of several initiatives ISSofBC has been involved in over the past decade to build relations between newcomers and Indigenous Peoples.   Created by Kamala Todd, a Metis-Cree community planner, educator, curator, and filmmaker who’s currently director of Indigenous City Media and adjunct professor at SFU’s Urban Studies Program,the video is accompanied by a study guide written by Kory Wilson that provides helpful information, links and terminology that serve as a jumping point for further learning.   Kory is executive director of BCIT’s Indigenous Initiatives and Partnerships and chair of the National Indigenous Education Committee of Colleges and Institutions Canada. Welcome to our Homelands was produced by ISSofBC with funding support from Vancity Credit Union. We hope you find the video and study guide helpful in gaining the understanding that will lead to a more serious pursuit of the knowledge needed to initiate meaningful dialogues between First Nations people and the rest of Canadian society. URL links: Video – https://youtu.be/esDhneVZJNg Study Guide – https://bit.ly/studyguide-welcometoourhomelands