Statement from Greater Sudbury's Early Learning System on National Indigenous Peoples Day

June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day. It is a day to honour Indigenous heritage, diversity, and cultures, and celebrate the outstanding achievements of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples throughout Canada. Since time immemorial, June 21, or the Summer Solstice, has been celebrated and honoured in Indigenous communities as the longest day of the year.

The Children Services section and its Early Learning and Child Care partners throughout Greater Sudbury are committed to recognizing the contributions of Indigenous peoples to our community and to our sector. We are committed to learning, listening and reflecting on Canada’s past, present and future with Indigenous communities.

We encourage all community members to take time on June 21 and beyond to learn about and celebrate the important and unique contributions of Indigenous individuals, communities, and cultures in our community.

National Indigenous Peoples Day Events

National Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration hosted by Sudbury Better Beginnings Better Futures
https://betterbeginningssudbury.ca/
Wednesday, June 21, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. at O’Connor Park (St. George St. in the Flour Mill)
Welcoming ceremony, breakfast, drumming, storytelling, children’s activities, noon-hour smudge
All are welcome. Free.

N’Swakamok Native Friendship Centre’s National Indigenous Peoples Day Pow Wow
http://www.nfcsudbury.org/
Wednesday, June 21, at Bell Park, Sudbury

Grand entry at 12 p.m., community giveaway at 5 p.m.
All are welcome. Free.

National Indigenous Peoples Day at Science North
https://www.sciencenorth.ca/national-indigenous-peoples-day 
Wednesday, June 21, 10 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Art installation, Indigenous vendors, knowledge sharing activities,  Giizhigoong Etegin Miikaanah (Solar System Path), Guided Walk, and more.
Everyone welcome. Starting on June 21, Science North and Dynamic Earth are pleased to offer permanent free general admission to self-identified Indigenous Peoples.

Indigenous Early Learning Programs

The City of Greater Sudbury is committed to providing a high-quality early learning and child care system in Greater Sudbury that meets the needs of all families. We know this cannot be done without Indigenous voices defining what this means for Indigenous children, families and communities.

We are proud to work with Sudbury Better Beginnings Better Futures, Jubilee Heritage Family Resources and the Indigenous-led organizations that partner with them, to offer culturally relevant and inclusive Early Learning programs and services for Indigenous children and families in our community.

Indigenous EarlyON Child & Family Centre Wiingash Gamig at Victory Park- BBBF
705-586-0818    https://www.facebook.com/groups/250167248330479
The Indigenous EarlyON Centre provides programming for families with children ages six years and under. We offer cultural-based programming, workshops, and services. We are here to support parents, especially with their child's early development, provide access to specialized services, and create a safe environment that offers the opportunity for socialization with other families.

Indigenous Led Program- BBBF  
705-671-1941   https://www.facebook.com/groups/645728032919842
The Indigenous Led Program provides culturally relevant and restorative approaches to bringing community members together. In partnership with the Greater Sudbury Early ONs, we facilitate activities that involve land-based learning, Indigenous storytelling, songs and drumming. We partner with community members and local agencies to create awareness and reflection of the Indigenous history and culture.

Gchi-Nendmook Anishnabe Binoojiinyik- Licensed Child Care Program- Jubilee
705-674-3334    https://jhfr.ca/child-care/

Jubilee Heritage Family Resources offers an Indigenous Child Care Program, Gchi-Nendmook Anishnabe Binoojiinyik, that includes teachings, drumming, language, storytelling, cultural meals and smudging in an early learning environment. We teach the children about the Seven Grandfather Teachings, and we explore the community to learn more about what it has to offer us. We give thanks to the Creator for the medicines that we pick. We create a sense of belonging for all children while they are learning about their culture. Our program is for ages 18 months to six years, and we are the only Anishnabek childcare program in Greater Sudbury. Families can register at https://onehsn.com/sudbury .