Indigenous Days of Significance

Anishinaabemowin (also called Ojibwemowin, and the Ojibwe/Ojibwe language) is an Indigenous language, generally spanning from Manitoba to Québec, with a strong concentration around the Great Lakes.

Elders share that the term Anishinaabemowin acknowledges the creation story of the Ojibwe people: “Anishinaabe” means “the spirit that is lowered down from above,” “-mo” refers to expression through speech and “-win” refers to the life energy within, used to do so. Linguists also explain that “-win” is a nominalizer that turns the verb Anishinaabemo (“he/she is speaking the Anishinaabe language”) into a noun.

According to the 2021 Census, 25,440 people are listed as speaking Ojibwe languages.

• There are more than 70 distinct Indigenous languages in Canada that fall into 12 separate language families.
• The decade from 2022 to 2032 is also the International Decade of Indigenous Languages to promote the use of Indigenous languages world-wide.
• Many of these languages have several dialects, particularly when the language is distributed over a large area. For instance, Cree is considered to be a single language with eight or more variants spoken in dozens of communities and reserves from the Rockies well into Québec and Labrador; and Anishinaabemowin/Ojibwe, with a number of dialect variants, is found in many communities throughout central Canada.
• In 2019, the Indigenous Languages Act was signed into law to support and promote the use of Indigenous languages. The Office of the Commissioner of Indigenous Languages was established with a mandate to support the efforts of Indigenous peoples to reclaim, revitalize, maintain, and strengthen Indigenous languages. 
• The origins of the American Sign Language you see today had clear influence from Plains Indian Hand talk or also known as, Plains Indian Sign Language (P.I.S.L), learn more about the Hidden History of "Hand Talking".

• Goodminds, Indigenous owned book store: Ojibwe Collection  
• Learn more about Plains Cree Hand Talking here.
• Discover the Secrets Behind Indigenous Hand Talkers Article
• Common Words with Indigenous Origins
• 100 Indigenous Words that Changed the English Language
• How to Say Hello in 15 Different Indigenous Languages

The International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples takes place every year on August 9th. This is an annual event that is celebrated on the same day each year.

What is the History of International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples? 

The history of the International Day of The World’s Indigenous Peoples began when the U.N. Working Group on Indigenous Populations held its first meeting to address the rights and create awareness of the needs of Indigenous peoples around the world. This meeting was held in Geneva in 1982.

In 1994, the United Nations General Assembly then decided on a resolution to commemorate the International Day of The World’s Indigenous Peoples in December 1994. On this day, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (U.N.E.S.C.O.) celebrates the occasion by “sharing information on projects and activities that are relevant to the annual theme.”

U.N.E.S.C.O. also continues to address the challenges Indigenous peoples face and the prominent role they play in society’s diverse cultural systems.

Learn more about Indigenous cultures and communities

A great place to start learning about the local Indigenous peoples is by visiting each individual community's website. They will often share a plethora of resources and information regarding their individual nation here. Also look into treaty territories and their perspective educational channels and podcasts on social media.

Support Indigenous peoples and businesses

There are quite a few Indigenous owned businesses to explore, including beauty products, jewelry, food, and plenty more. Supporting Indigenous businesses not only boosts their economy but helps you learn more about their respective cultures as well.

Donate or volunteer at Indigenous organizations

There is nothing more meaningful than devoting your time, skills, and resources to a worthy cause. Helping spread the word about Indigenous peoples and the daily issues they face is the perfect way to commemorate the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples.

The International Day of the World's Indigenous People is an opportunity for everyone to learn, support, and stand in solidarity with Indigenous communities. By getting involved, you can help promote a world that respects and celebrates the diversity and contributions of Indigenous Nations.

Learn and have conversations:

Read books and articles. Learn the true history culture and current issues Indigenous peoples are facing. Recommended Reads:

• 21 Things you may not know about the Indian Act
• The Inconvenient Indian
• Indian Horse

Watch documentaries or true story movies that include Indigenous voices such as:

• Trick or Treaty
• There’s Something in the Water
• We Were Children 
• Kanehsatake 270 Years of Resistance
• Beans

Support Indigenous Initiatives, Artists and Businesses

Indigenous Book Store:

• Good Minds: First Nations Inuit and Metis Books

Arts and Gift Stores:

• Whetung Ojibwe Centre
• Minisi Convenience and Gift Store
• Aaniin

Indigenous food sovereignty:

• Ojibiikaan Indigenous Cultural Network
• Black Duck Wild Rice

Donate time and resources to initiatives such as:

• Canada Helps Resource Hub: Indigenous Charities
• Indigenous Food Systems Network

• Indigenous Peoples make up 6.2% of the global population, and they represent more than 19% of the extremely poor.
• Indigenous Peoples' territories encompass 28% of the surface of the globe and contain 11% of the world’s forests. They are guardians of most of the world’s remaining biodiversity.
• Indigenous Peoples’ food systems have high levels of self-sufficiency, ranging from 50% to 80% in food and resource generation.
• At least 40% of the 7,000 languages used worldwide are at some level of endangerment. Indigenous languages are particularly vulnerable because many of them are not part of school curriculum.
• The United Nations declared 2022 – 2032 as the International Decade of Indigenous Languages. The Decade aims to draw global attention to the critical situation of many Indigenous languages and to mobilize relevant shareholders for the preservation, revitalization and promotion of these languages.   

Treaties are legally binding agreements that established relationships, rights, and responsibilities between Indigenous nations and European settlers. Ontario is home to 46 treaties, covering most of the province.

Treaties provide a framework between Nations for living together and sharing the land traditionally occupied by Indigenous peoples. Legally binding agreements, treaties set out the rights, responsibilities and relationships of First Nations and the federal and provincial governments.

Although many treaties were signed more than a century ago, treaty commitments provide the foundation for ongoing co-operation and partnership between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. Historically, treaties originated between the British or the French and the Indigenous populations were peaceable agreements that represented mutual understanding, sharing, trading or aid. Later, treaties were signed with the purpose of Indigenous surrendering land to the Crown, however, the Indigenous people really did not have an understanding as to what they were giving away. Through miscommunication and the lack of land ownership as an Indigenous concept, most of the province had been ceded by a treaty by the time of the Canadian Confederation.

Treaty rights are protected by subsection 35(1) of the Constitution Act, 1982 and often address the creation of reserves for the exclusive use of First Nations, and their rights to hunt, fish and trap on provincial Crown lands.

Today in Canada there are approximately 70 treaties between 371 First Nations and the Crown. The treaties represent the rights of more than 500,000 Indigenous people. Ontario is covered by 46 historic and present-day treaties, which were signed between 1781 and 1930.

To learn more visit the Treaty Teaching and Learning Document.

In 1763, King George III of Great Britain issued The Royal Proclamation, confirming the original occupancy of Indigenous peoples and paving the way for land agreements between the British Crown (government) and Indigenous peoples.

The proclamation:

• established how the British would manage land in North America following the Seven Years War
• proclaimed that settlers could not live on the land until the Crown had signed treaties with the First Nations who occupied the territories

To learn more about the History of Treaties in Ontario.

It is important for all Ontarians to understand the role treaties play in our lives and relationships with each other today as we move forward together to advance reconciliation.

Recognizing treaties: Affirms Indigenous rights and title to lands, promotes mutual understanding and respect, supports reconciliation and healing, and encourages inclusive and equitable communities.

Watch videos of Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers highlighting the importance of Treaties, Treaty relationships and Treaty rights in Ontario. Use the videos to promote learning about Treaties in your organization or classroom.

Maurice Switzer delivers presentations on Treaty recognition as a key element of the reconciliation process and talks about issues related to the Williams Treaties, Maurice Switzer on reconciliation and treaty recognition.

• Ontario Government: Treaties Recognition Week - Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada: Treaty Information