Commemorate National Indigenous History Month with Dufferin County at “A Silenced History – What We Weren’t Taught in School”

Join Dufferin County on Tuesday, June 20, 2023 to commemorate National Indigenous History Month at “A Silenced History – What We Weren’t Taught in School” with Dr. Pamela Palmater.

The public engagement event will take place at 6:30 pm at the Monora Park Pavilion, and will focus on learning, inspiration and change through a meaningful and thought-provoking conversation.

Dr. Palmater will deliver a 45-minute keynote presentation, where she will address the historical and contemporary harm endured by Indigenous peoples and provide attendees with actionable steps to forge a path towards a decolonial future through reconciliation. Ashunyung will perform the opening ceremony song.

Dr. Palmater is a Mi’kmaw lawyer, professor, author, and social justice activist from Ugpi’ganjig (Eel River Bar First Nation). She has 4 university degrees, including a Doctorate in Law from Dalhousie University specializing in Indigenous law. She currently holds the position of full Professor and Chair in Indigenous Governance at Toronto Metropolitan University.

Dr. Palmater was one of the spokespeople and public educators for the Idle No More movement and advocates alongside other movements focusing on social justice and human rights. She is frequently called as a legal expert before Parliamentary, Senate and United Nations committees dealing with laws and policies impacting Indigenous peoples and is considered one of Canada’s Top 25 Influential Movers and Shakers by the Financial Post.

Registration is required. Register here.

About National Indigenous History Month

In June, we commemorate National Indigenous History Month, and on June 21, National Indigenous Peoples Day – a time to recognize the rich history, heritage, resilience and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples across Canada. It is a time for all Canadians to reflect on the unique histories, sacrifices, cultures, contributions, and strengths of First Nations, Inuit, and Metis Peoples in Canada.

Learn more about National Indigenous History Month here.

Quotes

“Dufferin County is dedicated to undertaking meaningful action that moves us towards greater accountability and achieving Truth and Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples and their nations. This includes providing educational opportunities about the history of Indigenous peoples in Canada. We encourage residents to join us at A Silenced History – What We Weren’t Taught in School as we recognize Indigenous History Month.”

- Wade Mills, Warden, Dufferin County

“Dufferin County is dedicated to providing opportunities for employees, residents and community members to access programming and resources to meaningfully reflect as we work towards understanding the intergenerational harm and injustices that have been perpetuated against Indigenous peoples and communities. We are proud to host this event with Dr. Pamela Palmater, and look forward to listening and learning together with our community.”

- Sonya Pritchard, Chief Administrative Officer, Dufferin County

“Dufferin County is prioritizing our reconciliatory efforts and is dedicated to taking meaningful action towards decolonization and creating change. Much of what we have learned about Indigenous history has failed to focus on the persistent and deliberate human and Indigenous rights violations and abuses that continue to be perpetuated against these communities. Indigenous History Month provides an important opportunity to meaningfully reflect as we work to forge a path toward a decolonial future. Through thought-provoking conversation with Dr. Pamela Palmater, we hope our community is inspired to create change.”

- Rohan Thompson, Director, People and Equity, Dufferin County

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MEDIA CONTACT:
Megan Ball, Manager of Communications
mball@dufferincounty.ca