Recognizing National Indigenous History Month, Italian Heritage Month and Portuguese Heritage Month

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Home > Newsroom > Recognizing National Indigenous History Month, Italian Heritage Month and Portuguese Heritage Month

Recognizing National Indigenous History Month, Italian Heritage Month and Portuguese Heritage Month

6/10/2021 1:00 PM

Virtual programming and events available in Vaughan throughout June

As part of Vaughan's commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, the City recognizes National Indigenous History Month, Italian Heritage Month and Portuguese Heritage Month in June through its Cultural Heritage Events program. Also recognized is National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21 and Canadian Multiculturalism Day on June 27.

This month, a series of virtual events and programs will be available for citizens to learn about, share and celebrate the culture of Indigenous Peoples in Canada, Italian Canadians and Portuguese Canadians.

Here is information on virtual events and programming taking place throughout the month.

NATIONAL INDIGENOUS HISTORY MONTH

Land Acknowledgement

At the June 1 Committee of the Whole (1) meeting, Members of Council endorsed an amendment to the Land Acknowledgement. If approved, this will be ratified at the Tuesday, June 22 Council meeting.

Upon approval, the updated Land Acknowledgment statement will read as follows: We respectfully acknowledge that the City of Vaughan is situated in the Territory and Treaty 13 lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. We also recognize the traditional territory of the Huron-Wendat and the Haudenosaunee. The City of Vaughan is currently home to many First Nations, Métis and Inuit people today. As representatives of the people of the City of Vaughan, we are grateful to have the opportunity to work and live in this territory.

First Nations, Métis and Inuit History Makers

Learn about inspiring Indigenous peoples who have helped shape Canadian history. Find out more on the Government of Canada’s website.

Historical Figure – Lawrence Two Axe

Lawrence Two Axe was a resident of Pine Grove, one of the historical neighbourhoods of Vaughan. He was also the representative for the First Nations of North America at the League of Nations following the First World War. Learn more about Lawrence Two Axe (PDF).

Contemporary Figure- The Hon. Murray Sinclair, Senator

The Honourable Justice Murray Sinclair is Anishinaabe and a member of the Peguis First Nation. He is a Fourth Degree Chief of the Midewiwin Society, a traditional healing and spiritual society of the Anishinaabe Nation responsible for protecting the teachings, ceremonies, laws, and history of the Anishinaabe. His Spirit Name is Mizhana Gheezhik (The One Who Speaks of Pictures in the Sky).

He was appointed Associate Chief Judge of the Provincial Court of Manitoba in March of 1988 and to the Court of Queen's Bench of Manitoba in January 2001. He was Manitoba's first Indigenous Judge. Senator Murray Sinclair is a former member of the Canadian Senate and First Nations lawyer who served as chairman of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission from 2009 to 2015. Learn more about him by reading the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s website.

City of Vaughan Archives – Indigenous History

The City of Vaughan’s Archives are home to more than 600 collections, consisting of both City (business and operational) records and historical (personal, family and community) records pertaining to Vaughan. Learn more about Indigenous archeological sites in Vaughan and historical figures that were part of Vaughan’s early history on the City’s website.

Booklist and programs at Vaughan Public Libraries

StoryWalks
Vaughan Public Libraries (VPL) and Public Works have launched new StoryWalks across city parks. In Lawford Park, the story being displayed is Sometimes I Feel Like A Fox by Danielle Daniel, which offers an introduction to the Anishinaabe tradition of totem animals. At Mackenzie Glen District Park, the book It’s a Mitig! by Bridget George teaches children about Ojibwe words for nature as they walk through the forest. Learn more at vaughanpl.info/StoryWalks

Indigenize Our Minds: A Pow Wow

Thursday, June 10 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Experience the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto

Children will learn about the origin and movement of various pow wow dance styles.
Details available on VPL’s website.

The Adult Book Club

Thursday, July 15 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Reading Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer. This book teaches about Indigenous wisdom that considers plants and animals to be our oldest teachers.

More information can be found on VPL’s website.

VPL also has a National Indigenous History Month booklist available on its website with more resources.

Arcadia Live! Productions presents Music Mosaics-Manitou Mkwa Singers

Saturday, June 26 at 7 p.m. The link to the virtual performance can be found here.

The McMichael Canadian Art Collection – Virtual Gallery and Museum

View the incredible collection of artworks of renowned Canadian artists from past to present online at the eMuseum. Visit the Gallery collection through an electronic resource cataloguing of the McMichael’s permanent collection of over 6,500 pieces of Canadian art, including paintings by the Group of Seven and their contemporaries, along with works by First Nations, Métis and Inuit artists.

The collection has always recognized the important contributions made to Canada’s artistic and cultural heritage by First Nations artists. Over the years, the McMichael’s permanent collection of First Nations art has expanded significantly in both depth and scope. Visit the McMichael Gallery website for more information.

ITALIAN HERITAGE MONTH

City of Vaughan Archives – Italian History

Learn more about the history and historical figures that were part of Vaughan’s early Italian history. Explore further by visiting the City’s website.

Vaughan remembers the first Special Service Force – virtual exhibit

Learn about the history of the First Special Service Force and the many residents of Italian origin living in Vaughan who volunteered in 1942 in the Second World War. An elite, highly trained force, the FSSF was and remains the only joint Canadian-American military unit seen in action. View the virtual exhibit on the City’s website.

History of Del Brocco family – first Italian residents

The Del Brocco family was one of the first Italian-Canadian families in Vaughan. They lived in the Carrville Post Office in the 1920s. The building was restored by Stan Sellen and Ann Crichton-Harris and a restoration ceremony was held on Sept. 19, 2013. The ceremony was attended by three of the Del Brocco sisters who were, at the time, ages 87, 91 and 98. Learn more at vaughan.ca/culture.

Vita Sana Magazine collection – community champion

A photograph of a magazine from the Vita Sana Magazine Collection. Vita Sana was founded by Dr. Renzo Carbone and Vaughan resident Dr. Franca Damiani Carella in the mid-1980s. The magazine was originally focused on educating Vaughan residents about their health, but later expanded to cover such topics as relationships, culture and family life. In 1991, the magazine was sold to Corriere Canadese and was later discontinued. Learn more at vaughan.ca/culture.

Italian Heritage Month Booklist at VPL

With heritage months celebrations, VPL provides value-added resources and programming opportunities to learn more about heritage observances recognized throughout the year.

Through the lens of art, food, stories and history, explore the cultures of Italy and the communities of Italian-Canadians who continue to carry on these traditions. Visit VPL’s website for more information.

Arcadia Live Productions presents a virtual performance by musician Alessandro Montelli

Saturday, June 19 at 7 p.m. The link to the virtual performance can be found here.

Tutti a Tavola! Online cooking experiences
Virtual classes are every Tuesday at 6 p.m. until the week of July 26. Registration is available here.

2021 Italian Contemporary Film Festival

A selection of films celebrating Canada’s multiculturalism and the best of Italian cinema. It runs from Sunday, June 27 until Saturday, July 17. For a full schedule, visit icff.ca.

CANADIAN MULTICULTURALISM DAY – June 27

Virtual Cultural Performances Series

Enjoy a variety of virtual cultural performances from Vaughan’s own local creative and cultural organizations.

Victoria International Ballet Academy

Fuerza Latina – Vaughan Latin Festival

Enjoy the Brazilian dance performance by Dance Migration and Latin musical performers Grupo Rei. Watch the performance here.

Arcadia Live presents Music Mosaics – Virtual performances

Visit vaughan.ca/culture for more information about culture and heritage months.

To stay up to date on the latest updates as they happen, sign up for the City Update eNewsletter at vaughan.ca/CityUpdate and follow the City’s Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn channels.

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