National Aboriginal Day Celebrations with MAP Partners

June 21st is National Aboriginal Day. In cooperation with Aboriginal organizations, the Government of Canada chose June 21st for National Aboriginal Day because it's the summer solstice and for generations, many Aboriginal peoples have celebrated their culture and heritage on or near this day.

Aboriginal History Month (June) provides an opportunity to recognize not only the historic contributions of Aboriginal peoples to the development of Canada, but also the strength of present-day Aboriginal communities and their promise for the future.

Take the opportunity to honour the heritage, diversity, contributions and cultures of First Nation, Inuit and Métis communities in Canada with our MAP program partners and at your local library.

^{Classic Images of Canada's First Nations: 1850-1920}

^{The Sharing Circle: Stories About First Nations Culture}

^{Firekeepers of the Twenty-First Century: First Nations Women Chiefs}

Bata Shoe Museum - Sunday, June 17 from 2 pm to 4 pm

Museum educators present family activities in the "Beauty, Identity, Pride" gallery. See smoke-tanned moccasins with beautiful beadwork or porcupine quill work; beaver pelts, materials and tools used to make footwear. Play native games such as Deer Toe Ring or Woven Cattail Finger Trap and make a Seminole patchwork bookmark and your own ball and pin game.

^{Awakening (CD) *******************}

^{Drops of Brandy and Other Traditional}^{Métis Tunes}^(CD)

^{Elite (CD) *****************************}

^{Children of the World (CD) **********************}

^{Katutjatut: Throat Singing (CD) *****************}

^{Chants et Tambours Inuit de Thule au Detroit de Bering (CD)}

Fort York National Historic Site - Thursday, June 21 from 1 pm to 8 pm

Learn about First Nations spiritual traditions, such as honouring the land, the season and the environment. There will be dancing, drumming, music, food and a sunset ceremony.

^{In the Words of Elders: Aboriginal Cultures in Transition ************}

^{Native Crafts: Inspired by North America's First Peoples}^{******************}

^Three^Métis^{Folk Songs from Saskatchewan (Sheet Music)}^{*************}

^{Aboriginal Music in Contemporary Canada: Echoes and Exchanges}

Toronto Zoo - Saturday, June 23 from 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm

Take part in an interactive drumming and dancing presentation by the Smoke Trail Singers at the Waterside Theatre.

^{Native American Clothing: An Illustrated History}

^{Canadian Aboriginal Art and Spirituality: A Vital Link}

^{The Trickster Shift: Humour and Irony in Contemporary Native Art}

^{Hidden in Plain Sight: Contributions of Aboriginal Peoples to Canadian Identity and Culture}

^{Uncommon Threads: Wabanaki Textiles, Clothing and Costume}^{******************}

^{Restoring the Balance: First Nations Women, Community and Culture}^***********

Museum of Inuit Art

The Museum of Inuit Art is southern Canada's only public museum devoted exclusively to the art and culture of the Inuit. Their permanent collection highlights the regional diversity of artistic styles and materials used by Inuit artists. Works include sculptures, wall hangings, prints, drawings, ceramics, and clothing.

^{The Inuit Thought of It: Amazing Arctic Innovations *****************}

^{Tukiliit: An Introduction to Inuksuit and Other Stone Figures of the North}

^{White Lies about the Inuit}

Art Gallery of Ontario - The Thomson Collection of Canadian Paintings and First Nations Objects

The AGO's First Nations objects include masks, amulets, dagger hilts and combs carved from ivory which came from sperm or orca whale teeth or, more rarely, walrus tusks. They also include pieces by one of the best-known historical First Nations artists, Charles Edenshaw and a number of objects acquired from the celebrated Dundas collection.