To better live the work of truth and reconciliation, Alberta University of the Arts respectfully recognizes June as Indigenous History Month and June 21st as National Indigenous Peoples Day. AUArts honours and celebrates Indigenous ways of knowing, cultures and the contributions of all First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples of Canada.
Several members of our AUArts student and staff community spoke about the importance of National Indigenous Peoples Day. Watch the video below!
Brendan Hamilton, Métis AUArts Student (Link to Instagram video)
“Why I think National Indigenous Peoples Day is very important for AUArts as an institution is that art is always one of the most important ways in which culture and ideas have been spread. By highlighting the beauty of Indigenous people’s artwork, sharing what the students are creating and leading the way as an institution, we’re helping to make the world a more beautiful place or helping to promote Indigenous culture in a very beautiful way.”
Susan Solway, Coordinator, AUArts Indigenous Community (Watch the video below)
“Indigenous Peoples Day in Canada is a national celebration honouring the direct descendants of the first people of this land. The culture, the history, the language, the stories, the art – all of that is something to be appreciated by all non-Indigenous people living in this country. Direct descendants have and carry the natural ancestral knowledge that was passed on through us through generations, and it is important that we continue to uphold these traditions and values as respected Indigenous people within our own homes and communities. I think it is also important that non-Indigenous people take on the responsibility as well to educate themselves and understand a lot of those colonial practises and genocidal practices that were done in the past how they still impact First Nations, Métis and Inuit people of the country today.”
Dr. Daniel Doz, President & CEO
“What is special and unique is where we are, and where we are is the land we are on. And when we talk about the land, we look at the cultures that have come before us that are part of the land. That sense of place, I think is critical; it defines where we are, where we come from and where we are going. Celebrating and recognizing Indigenous Day, for the institution, is to show our respect for where we are and the land where we are.”
Dr. Pablo Ortiz, Dean of Students
“It is important to celebrate – to celebrate Indigenous people and acknowledge the different aspects of culture they bring with them. It’s important to celebrate the people that were here, that inhabited this land before us, before colonizers, before settlers. It’s important to honour them and to honour their knowledge. And there’s no better way to honour their knowledge than integrating that knowledge – that ancient, outstanding, diverse knowledge – into our own processes and our ways of teaching.”
Monique Auffrey, Counsellor
“Indigenous Peoples Day recognizes our First People, and our First People have created on this land and honoured this land, and it’s important for us to not forget that, and continue to celebrate and honour that.”