2025 National Indigenous Peoples Month
On June 21, Canada will celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day. First celebrated in 1996, this is a day to recognize and celebrate the cultures and contributions of Indigenous Peoples from across Canada.
Join us for a month-long celebration of Indigenous peoples living in Alberta by taking part in daily virtual events that celebrate diversity among Indigenous peoples and communities. This year's theme is Hand in Hand Towards Cultural Safety and is being hosted in collaboration with Primary Care Alberta, Acute Care Alberta, Recovery Alberta and Assisted Living Alberta. This month, we are creating space to listen, learn and reflect on how the healthcare system can support Indigenous patients and families to feel safe, respected and heard.
*Please note: This page is moderated, and any inappropriate or disrespectful content will be edited and/or removed.
-
June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day
Share June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day on Facebook Share June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day on Twitter Share June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day on Linkedin Email June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day linkTo mark National Indigenous Peoples Month, families, patients and staff gathered in the healing gardens at Alberta Children’s Hospital for an afternoon of connection, celebration and learning.
Sisters Faith and Tannis, along with their children, aged 8 to 15, shared vibrant regalia, dance and ceremony. An Elder led a blessing and smudge, and a round dance brought everyone together, hand in hand.
Today, Canada celebrates National Indigenous Peoples Day: a day to recognize and celebrate the cultures and contributions of Indigenous Peoples from across the country.
-
Virtual Events
Share Virtual Events on Facebook Share Virtual Events on Twitter Share Virtual Events on Linkedin Email Virtual Events link
Here's what is happening virtually for National Indigenous Peoples Month.
See the 2025 Virtual Events Calendar for session details.
*We will be posting all the presentations that we have permission to share for those who may not be able to attend in real time. Keep watching this page for updates.Week one – June 2 to June 8
Tuesday June 3
12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. - Opening Ceremonies (Agenda)
See the recorded presentation here.Wednesday June 4
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. - Cultural Safety in Healthcare: Indigenous Patient Experience
See the recorded presentation here.
Presentation SlidesThursday June 5
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. - Patient Access to Indigenous Spiritual Ceremony Policy
See the recorded presentation here.
Presentation slidesFriday June 6
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. - Treaties and Communities: We are all Treaty People
See the recorded presentation here.
Presentation Slides1:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. - Weekly Closing Prayer
Week two – June 9 to June 13
Monday June 9
9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. – Elder Teachings12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. - Otipemisiwak Métis Government
See the recorded presentation here.
Tuesday June 10
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. – Heritage, Culture and Cultural Safety in Emergency Medical Services
See the recorded presentation here.
Wednesday June 11
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. – Indigenous Directed Simulation Training for Anti-Racism in Emergency Departments
See the recorded presentation here.Thursday June 12
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. – Meet the Indigenous Education Team
See the recorded presentation here.
Presentation slidesFriday June 13
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. – ReconciliACTION – Indigenous Talent Acquisition
See the recorded presentation here.
Presentation slides
1:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. - Weekly Closing PrayerWeek three – June 16 to June 20
Monday, June 16
9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. – Elder Teachings
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. - Indigenous Support Line - Caring for People Across Alberta
See the recorded presentation here.Tuesday June 17
12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. - The Path of Partnership, Action and Ceremony to Strengthen Indigenous Cancer Care in Alberta Health Services
See the recorded presentation here.Wednesday June 18
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. - An Indigenous Olympian's Journey
See the recorded presentation here.Thursday June 19
9.00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. -Inuunivut (Our Way of Life)
See the recorded presentation here.12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. - A Conversation about the Virtual Opioid Dependency Program (VODP)
See the recorded presentation here.
Presentation slidesFriday June 20
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. - Cultural Safety from a Cree Perspective
See the recorded presentation here.
1:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. - Weekly Closing PrayerWeek four – June 23 to June 24
Monday June 23
9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. – Elder Teachings
Click here to register and join.12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. - An Introduction to Indigenous Sports & Games
Click here to register and join.Tuesday June24
12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. - Closing Ceremonies
Click here to register. -
Celebration at Willow Square
Share Celebration at Willow Square on Facebook Share Celebration at Willow Square on Twitter Share Celebration at Willow Square on Linkedin Email Celebration at Willow Square link
Willow Square Continuing Care Centre residents and staff in Fort McMurray celebrated National Indigenous Peoples Month on June 13 with Indigenous cultural entertainment.
Residents and staff gathered to watch local youth perform Metis jigging, fancy dancing (a form of powwow dancing), and drumming. The event began with an opening prayer. Light refreshments and Bannock with jam was also served.
The event was organized by Joy Flett, an AHS Indigenous Wellness Coordinator at Willow Square and Northern Lights Regional Health Centre.
See photos from this and other events here.
-
Welcoming Baby Eli: A Moment of Care and Culture
Share Welcoming Baby Eli: A Moment of Care and Culture on Facebook Share Welcoming Baby Eli: A Moment of Care and Culture on Twitter Share Welcoming Baby Eli: A Moment of Care and Culture on Linkedin Email Welcoming Baby Eli: A Moment of Care and Culture link
This Indigenous Peoples Month, we honour moments of strength, culture, and community.
On May 5, Red Dress Day - a day of remembrance for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) - two staff members at the High Prairie Health Complex, Isabelle Giroux, transition coordinator and mother of two Indigenous children, and Laura Tomkins, clinical nurse educator and a proud Indigenous nurse, were called to assist with an urgent delivery.
Though the High Prairie Health Complex is not a designated birthing site, an imminent delivery required experienced hands.
Both Giroux and Tomkins, seasoned RNs, stepped in to support the physician.
Dressed in their ribbon skirts, already being worn in honour of MMIWG, they helped bring Eli King, an Indigenous baby into the world, in a powerful and deeply symbolic moment.
“It was a lot, but such a relief to have him born,” said Carmen Bigcharles, Eli’s mother. “I’m really glad the nurses were there. They kept me calm and kept me breathing. And looking back, it was cool for them to be wearing their ribbon skirts. It was a good experience, and I was so happy to see him when he was born.”
This experience is a moving reminder of how care, culture, and reconciliation can come together in meaningful ways.
Join us in celebrating the arrival of baby Eli, born on May 5 and weighing 6 pounds, 6 ounces! -
Indigenous Healthcare Career Exploration Camp
Share Indigenous Healthcare Career Exploration Camp on Facebook Share Indigenous Healthcare Career Exploration Camp on Twitter Share Indigenous Healthcare Career Exploration Camp on Linkedin Email Indigenous Healthcare Career Exploration Camp link
We are excited to invite Indigenous students entering grades 9 through 12 to join us at our Indigenous Healthcare Career Exploration Camp in Calgary.
Whether you're interested in medicine, nursing, administration, or technology, this event offers a unique glimpse into the diverse opportunities awaiting you.
Don't miss out - register today for this or any of our camps. Click here to learn more -
2025 Design
Share 2025 Design on Facebook Share 2025 Design on Twitter Share 2025 Design on Linkedin Email 2025 Design link
Métis artist, Jacqueline Barr, created this year's beautiful design. Read her artist statement here.
This year's design draws inspiration from the Seven Sacred Teachings—also known as the Teachings of the Seven Grandfathers. These teachings emphasize core Indigenous values such as love, respect, courage, honesty, wisdom, humility, and truth.
Opening ceremonies for 2025 will be held at the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital (GPRH), where Métis artist Chantel Caza's artwork is displayed for staff and patients to enjoy and learn about these teachings. View the artwork by clicking on the images below.
Eagle
Buffalo
Bear
Sasquatch
Beaver
Wolf
Turtle
Custom
