June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day, a day for celebrating the heritage, diverse cultures, and outstanding achievements of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples. This year marks a significant milestone, the 25th anniversary of National Indigenous Peoples Day.
Indigenous youth are overrepresented among youth experiencing homelessness and make up 24% of the youth we serve at Covenant House Vancouver. To honour this day we have organized a special bannock taco lunch for youth in all our programs.
We have also provided medicines/smudge kits for several of our youth as well as medicines and smudge supplies for a CSS kayak trip that will be happening today. We will be having a medicines walk at Trillium Park on June 30 with Lori Snyder, a Metís herbalist, and educator.
If you would like to celebrate today or learn more the Carnegie Community Centre, in partnership with the UBC Learning Exchange and the City of Vancouver, is hosting a virtual event from 12 to 2 p.m. There will be a variety of live and recorded performances, including the Carnegie’s own lexwst’i:lem drum group, the Children of Takaya dancers, and much more!