Indigenous History Month Resources for Event Professionals

As Indigenous History Month comes to an end, we’re sharing a few amazing resources that are available for event professionals to access and work through - at any time of year! We invite you to join us in our commitment to foster more respectful, ethical and inclusive events by better educating ourselves on Indigenous history, working on reconciliation and striving to include Indigenous acknowledgements at all events and weddings.

We would like to begin by respectfully acknowledging that we are fortunate to live and work on the traditional and unceded territories of the Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), Səl̓ílwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), Syilx (Okanagan), Cherokee, Catawba, Congaree & Miccosukee Nations.

Please note: This is a living, evolving list of resources, primarily focused on Indigenous History and Reconciliation efforts in Canada. It will not be exhaustive or perfect, but we aim to share highly valuable resources. We welcome feedback and suggestions for additional resources via email, to hello@thegoodgreen.org.

Educational Resources for Event Professionals

Native Land

Native Land is an app to help map Indigenous territories, treaties, and languages. Their easy-to-use tool helps you find and research the information for where you currently reside, or pretty much anywhere in North America.

“We strive to map Indigenous lands in a way that changes, challenges, and improves the way people see history and the present day. We hope to strengthen the spiritual bonds that people have with the land, its people, and its meaning.” - Native Land via native-land.ca

Learn more and tune into the Indigenous history of your home: https://native-land.ca/

Moose Hide Campaign

An organization close to our hearts, “The Moose Hide Campaign began as a BC-born Indigenous-led grassroots movement to engage men and boys in ending violence towards women and children. It has since grown into a nationwide movement of Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians from local communities, First Nations, governments, schools, colleges/universities, police forces and many other organizations – all committed to taking action to end this violence.” - Moose Hide Campaign via moosehidecampaign.ca

We encourage you to explore their mission and how you can be a part of their journey to end violence towards Indigenous women and children, and work towards reconciliation.

As part of this year’s Moose Hide Campaign Day, on May 11 2023, the organization shared some exceptional workshops, which are available for you to access on demand: https://moosehidecampaign.ca/workshops/

We also recommend tuning into their YouTube channel for more workshop recordings and educational videos that the whole family can engage with: https://www.youtube.com/@Moose-Hide-Campaign

Naqsmist

Naqsmist works with organizations, governments and communities by hosting strategic sessions or workshops to improve communication, build culture and alignment, develop an understanding of reconciliation, and focus on shifting systemic issues - and more!

“At Naqsmist, we use transformative storytelling as a way to inspire whole-system healing in order to promote productivity in spaces of decision-making, strategizing, and governance.”
“Our lead facilitators and storytellers are Elaine and Kyle Alec from the Syilx and Secwepemc nations, located in the southern interior of British Columbia, Canada, and Jen Greenway from the Tahltan and Kaska Nations. They work with transformative storytellers, systems thinkers, and strategists from a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.” - Naqsmist - naqsmist.com

Learn more about their offering at https://www.naqsmist.com/

kinSHIFT

As explained on their website, “kinSHIFT is an Indigenous-led initiative supporting settlers who are committed to building respectful relationships with Indigenous peoples and places. Our experiential, arts-based workshops and programs allow participants to learn, practice, ask questions, and make mistakes in a safer environment, all while building a foundation for engaging meaningfully with Indigenous peoples.” - kinSHIFT, kinshift.ca

Keep an eye on their site for future releases of their Elements of Truth workshop, which is hailed as being a great way to develop some foundational skills for reconciliation. They also have an extensive list of resources to further your learning.

Check it out: https://kinshift.ca/

Government of Canada - Indigenous History Month Resources

We’re pleased to see the federal government provide a variety of tools and educational resources for people of all ages and backgrounds to access and learn about First Nations, Inuit and Metis across Canada.

Explore their resources here: https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1466616436543/1534874922512

Indigenous Canada - a Free Course by the University of Alberta

This well-rounded course is a great way to broaden your knowledge of Canada’s Indigenous history in general, while taking a deeper dive into some key topics.

As explained by the University of Alberta, “Indigenous Canada is a 12-lesson course from the Faculty of Native Studies, which explores the different histories and contemporary perspectives of Indigenous peoples living in Canada.” - University of Alberta, ualberta.ca/admissions-programs/online-courses/indigenous-canada/index.html

“From an Indigenous perspective, this course explores complex experiences Indigenous peoples face today from a historical and critical perspective highlighting national and local Indigenous-settler relations.”
“Topics for the 12 lessons include the fur trade and other exchange relationships, land claims and environmental impacts, legal systems and rights, political conflicts and alliances, Indigenous political activism, and contemporary Indigenous life, art and its expressions.”

Learn more & enroll here: ualberta.ca/admissions-programs/online-courses/indigenous-canada/index.html

Indigenous Tourism BC

For those living and working in BC, Indigenous Tourism BC offers incredible Corporate workshops and retreats to organizations across the province. Perfect for diving into a dedicated learning experience, you can book a corporate retreat at an Indigenous-owned lodge and build an itinerary of workshops and experiences tailored to your business.

With a mission to foster connections and support for Indigenous vendors in the tourism sector, they will help to “Find ways for your organization, team, or group to conduct business and improve relationships with Indigenous partners at Indigenous-owned accommodations, museums, activity providers, restaurants and gift shops.” - Indigenous Tourism BC.

As well as booking their retreats, you’ll find an extensive list of Indigenous vendors in the tourism and hospitality space - perfect for building out your very own list of local Indigenous businesses to recommend to clients for upcoming events.

Discover their Corporate Retreats here: https://www.indigenousbc.com/corporate-retreats-team-building/

U.S. Department of Arts and Culture (USDAC) - Native Land

Our friends in the US can tap into a variety of resources and guides to honor native land and join the movement of opening public events and gatherings with acknowledgment of the traditional Native inhabitants of the land.

“Acknowledgment is a simple, powerful way of showing respect and a step toward correcting the stories and practices that erase Indigenous people’s history and culture and toward inviting and honoring the truth. Imagine this practice widely adopted: imagine cultural venues, classrooms, conference settings, places of worship, sports stadiums, and town halls, acknowledging traditional lands. Millions would be exposed—many for the first time—to the names of the traditional Indigenous inhabitants of the lands they are on, inspiring them to ongoing awareness and action.” - USDAC, via usdac.us/nativeland

Learn more and access free resources here: https://usdac.us/nativeland/

Indigenous Storytellers and Influencers to Tune Into

Elaine Alec - Author and Workshop Facilitator

You might recognize Elaine as a lead facilitator for Naqsmist and The Moose Hide Campaign workshops. She is from the Syilx (Okanagan) Nation and Secwepemc (Shuswap) Nation and is a member of the Penticton Indian Band in the Interior of British Columbia. She has spent over 20 years in over 100 communities across Canada to promote healing and wellness.

Offering online courses and workshops about Cultivating Safe Spaces, as well as a schedule of in-person events and live webinars, Elaine is highly regarded for her work towards reconciliation. She is also the author of “Calling My Spirit Back” a memoir about growing up as an Indigenous girl in Canada and the impacts of colonization. It also provides Indigenous knowledge, teachings on how to cultivate safe spaces for diversity and inclusion.

Learn more at https://www.elainealec.com/

Shayla Stonechild - TV & Podcast Host, and Yoga Instructor

With an impressive roster of brands in her client list, we clearly have a lot to learn from Shayla, and the guests she invites to join her on Matriarch Movement, her “non-profit, platform and podcast amplifying Indigenous voices through story, meditation, movement and medicine.” - www.instagram.com/matriarch.movement

“As a Mètis and Nehiyaw Iskwew (Plains Cree Woman) from Muscowpetung First Nations, Shayla has been active in the movement to reclaim Indigenous voices and world views.”
“Shayla is a steward for Indigenous wellness, representation and leadership in the mainstream. She has become a catalyst for change in wellness communities where there has often been a lack of meaningful engagement and programming for her community.” - Shayla Stonechild, shaylastonechild.ca

Learn more about Shayla’s work here: https://shaylastonechild.ca/

Interesting Articles, Books & Podcasts

PODCAST: Matriarch Movement

As mentioned previously, Matriarch Movement is hosted by Shayla Stonechild and “shares stories of Indigenous women, from Canada to Turtle Island and beyond. Through interviews where issues facing Indigenous women are brought to light, and with portraits that challenge the mainstream narrative around Indigenous identity, Matriarch Movement offers up a new category of Indigenous role models, to inspire the next seven generations.” - Matriarch Movement on Spotify

Listen on the go when traveling between your hectic event schedules and feel inspired and enlightened with the variety of fascinating topics that Shayla dives into with her guests!

Matriarch Movement on Spotify

Source: Matriarch Movement Podcast Profile on Spotify

BOOK: The Canadian Business Owner’s Guide to Reconciliation: Best Practices for Indigenous Inclusion

Released earlier this year, this book is at the top of our ‘Must Reads’ list and is rated for being an informative and practical guide for embarking on a journey of reconciliation while making a positive difference in the way you do business.

“Author Alison Tedford Seaweed addresses our nation’s complicated history through research and interviews with academics, business owners, Indigenous relations advisors, and more. She expertly conveys how a commitment to Indigenous inclusion and doing the right thing toward reconciliation will lead to a stronger foundation for businesses and personal relationships.” - Self Counsel, www.self-counsel.com/the-canadian-business-owner-s-guide-to-reconciliation.html

Learn more and buy your copy here: www.self-counsel.com/the-canadian-business-owner-s-guide-to-reconciliation.html

ARTICLE: Working with Clients/Couples to Incorporate Indigenous Acknowledgements and Vendors into their Event

Read it here: https://www.bizbash.com/production-strategy/article/22806568/tips-for-creating-safe-spaces-for-indigenous-event-guests

Bonus Tip: Working with Clients to Include Indigenous Vendors and Acknowledgements

As we’ve discussed in previous blog posts, having a values-focused conversation with every new client we start working with is essential. As well as dialling into their eco-friendly priorities and preferences, it’s the perfect time to discuss Indigenous inclusion.

When discussing overarching values, ask them about their priorities and discuss ideas for mindfully incorporating some Indigenous connections, whether it’s acknowledgement or vendor selection.

Discuss the territories of the land they reside on, and plan to get married on, as well as discussing the importance of land acknowledgements when discussing core values with the couples
Share ideas for how they could incorporate land acknowledgements:
- Include info on invites/wedding website
- Ask officiant to include it in the ceremony
- Invite a member of the local indigenous community to lead an acknowledgement at the start of the gathering, or event to welcome visitors to their traditional land (typically more of a ceremony with singing/dance/speech)
  - Remind people that if they experience this, make sure they're aware of proper protocol and etiquette. A small honorarium, donation, or gift of some kind is often a polite way of giving thanks. Check in with Indigenous or local government or educational institutions for more information.
Share your list of Indigenous-owned vendors they might consider working with.

So that’s a wrap on our Indigenous History month resources - for now at least! We’d like to remind our community that we too are learning and broadening our awareness of resources and information. The writing of this blog post and curating our resource list, it is not exhaustive and we embrace the work that’s ahead of us. Please feel free to reach out to us if you have corrections or suggestions for how we can do better.

In the meantime, good luck with embarking on your own journey!

Indigenous History Month: Evergreen Resources for Event Professionals