Every June, the Upper Grand District School Board (UGDSB) celebrates National Indigenous History Month and recognizes it as an opportunity to learn about and celebrate the rich and vibrant Knowledges, contributions, histories, cultures and futures of Indigenous Peoples in Canada.
The Indigenous Education department has provided staff with a calendar with daily activities, weekly topics and extension activities for staff and student learning. The calendar focuses on the theme of celebration and incorporating Indigenous content into K-12 classrooms through a variety of learning activities, resources and suggestions for how students can celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day (June 21, 2026) and practice allyship in their schools.
Throughout the month of June, there will also be in-person and virtual events for students to participate in. Artist Isaac Murdoch from Serpent River First Nation has provided a virtual recording and art sessions to teach students about the importance of mashkode-bizhiki (the buffalo) to the Anishinaabek. From June 1-5, Alyssa Delbaere-Sawchuk and the North Sound will visit secondary schools across UGDSB to present “Echoes of the Land,” a celebration of Indigenous stories and songs. In this performance, Alyssa, a celebrated Red River Métis fiddler, and Forrest Eaglespeaker, a storyteller and musician from the Blackfoot community and member of the band The North Sound, merge their heritages to present a series focused on self-love, empowerment, and the deep connections with land and nature. They will also host a family night for Indigenous students and their families.