Indigenous History Month 2025

National Indigenous History Month
Posted on

June is National Indigenous History Month and on the summer solstice (June 21st) is National Indigenous Peoples Day.

This month is an opportunity to uplift Indigenous culture but also reflect on the legacy of colonization and to acknowledge and recognize the history of the land that we all live and work from. To celebrate, there will be activities across the country that showcase Indigenous culture, history and achievements.

Exploring Indigenous history and culture is an opportunity to learn about the diversity across the different nations that continues to grow and evolve. Through learning, we can better understand the context that guides the path forward in Truth & Reconciliation and in supporting the advancement of Indigenous peoples.

SkilledTradesBC focuses on building strong and meaningful relationships with Indigenous communities across the province. This work includes building capacity for Indigenous communities to deliver trades training and increasing skilled trades training and career accessibility for rural Indigenous peoples. 

Learn more about the evolution of the initiatives at SkilledTradesBC:
 

From Past to Present: Supporting Indigenous Apprentices at SkilledTradesBC
In 2008, SkilledTradesBC (formerly known as Industry Training Authority) established the Indigenous Programs department, focusing on increasing the number of Indigenous apprentices in the province and building strong community partnership.

Click to read - From Past to Present: Supporting Indigenous Apprentices at Skil…

Indigenous Leadership in Skilled Trades 

Indigenous people and groups have contributed to making meaningful progress in the  apprenticeship system– elevating themselves and their communities through dedicated programs, initiatives and intentional development. Learn more from the links below. 
 

HEOs of the Future: Skills Training at Squamish Nation

Led by Squamish Nation Trades Training Centre, the Heavy Equipment Operator (HEO) Program is a unique 12-week program that provides participants the opportunity to build foundational skills, gain hands-on experience, and earn an HEO Level 1.

View More

Curtis Thomas, Continuing the Legacy of Community

Uplifting his community through apprenticeship and opportunity - Curtis is dedicated to mentoring and creating career pathways for his apprentices, staff and community to continue the legacy of his uncle and others that helped support his career.

Read about Curtis and his mission

Video Features

Tea Creek Farm

SkilledTradesBC profiled Tea Creek Farm, an Indigenous-led, land-based culturally safe skilled trades training program passionate about Indigenous food sovereignty. Meet the founders of the farm and learn about their mission.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pr7UXx7i6IM

Kitselas Five-Tier Training (K5T) 

In this video, learn about the community-built jobs and skills training system for community members within the Kitselas First Nations and the Greater Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine. Get to know some of their community members and learn about this innovative training system.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMYQKmHCro8 

Celebrating Indigenous Tradespeople

Here are a few Indigenous apprentices and tradespeople we have featured who are thriving in their skilled trades careers:

Natasha Hanson

Natasha Hanson was making a decent living as a lifeguard, but felt the pull to explore something new. She recently completed her Level 1 technical training and is thriving as an electrician apprentice.

Meet Natasha

Rebecca Marshall

Rebecca Marshall is a Red Seal Cook, who works as a Transport Canada Endorsed Ship's Cook aboard an Emergency Tow Vessel on the coast of British Columbia. Read this Q&A to learn more about her apprenticeship journey and what being Indigenous means to her.

Meet Rebecca

Chelsea Barron

For Chelsea Barron, growing up in a family of tradespeople made the decision of pursuing a career in the skilled trades a natural choice. Read on to learn about her Red Seal journey as well as her reflections on what Indigenous History Month and Indigenous People's Day means to her. 

Meet Chelsea

Online Indigenous Cultural Resources

There are a lot of resources online to learn about Indigenous culture – from music, movies, art, poetry, literature, food, to experiences and places you can visit today. Take an opportunity this month to learn more about different aspects of culture and the bands in B.C. and Canada.

  • Native-Land.ca https://native-land.ca/
    This digital resource where you can learn more about Indigenous territories, languages, lands and ways of life. Learn more about the complex layers and history of territories, not just in B.C. but around the world (global territories still being updated).

  • First Voices https://www.firstvoices.com/
    Learn about Indigenous languages on this dynamic site – over 75 sites are online for you to explore different languages.

  • B.C. Assembly of First Nations https://www.bcafn.ca/
    The B.C. Assembly of First Nations (BCAFN) is a Provincial Territorial Organization representing and advocating for the 203 First Nations in British Columbia. This website is a resource for issues the BCAFN is advocating for and a map of First Nations in B.C. with links to community website/resources.

  • Indigenous Tourism BC https://www.indigenousbc.com/
    This website showcases different Indigenous tourism opportunities in B.C. Perhaps some inspiration for your weekend or next vacation?

  • Musqueam Place Names https://placenamemap.musqueam.bc.ca/ 
    Learn about the regional Musqueam locations and how to pronounce names in their language. 

  • Additional Indigenous tourism resource: https://www.hellobc.com/things-to-do/indigenous-culture/
     

Indigenous History Month & National Indigenous Peoples Day – Community Events & Resources