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National Indigenous History Month Resources for Young People

Photo of sɬχil’əx or Slhx̱í7lsh, a tall rock outcropping overlooking Burrard Inlet in Stanley Park (Vancouver, B.C), overlaid with a blue text box that reads: “Celebrating National Indigenous History Month.”

Every year, the month of June is recognized as National Indigenous History Month – a month dedicated to honouring, commemorating, and celebrating the history, experiences, and achievements of Indigenous people.

As well, National Indigenous Peoples Day is also commemorated in June. In response to, and in consultation with, First Nations, Métis, and Inuit groups in 1996, the Canadian government proclaimed June 21 to be National Aboriginal Day (Now National Indigenous Peoples Day).

Both National Indigenous Peoples Day and National Indigenous History Month are opportunities for people of all ages to learn, ask, and explore. Below are resources, events, and organizations to help young people discover more about the First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples who live here.

Are you an Indigenous artist, writer, or expert in your field interested in partnering with the library to run a program for kids or teens? We’d love to hear from you! Learn more and submit a proposal.

Booklists

Check out VPL’s booklists:

EBook & AudioBook Collection:

Start a book club or read along together with friends & family! VPL offers the following Book Club Kits which include 10 copies of the book and a discussion guide:

Storytime Kits

Other Resources and Organizations

There are many organizations which have fantastic information and resources for Indigenous History Month!

Resources for Teens

Watch:

Check out our YouTube playlist  of Les George in his time as the 2023 Indigenous Storyteller in Residence.  

Read and Listen:

Get informed about Truth and Reconciliation with this curated list of Resources for Teens.

Read Indigenous Books for Teens, a mix of the newest and hottest young adult fiction and non-fiction by Indigenous authors.

Start a book club or read along together with friends & family! VPL offers Indigenous Book Club Kits available to borrow, which include 10 copies of the book and a discussion guide:

Tune in to these Indigenous podcasts for a teen audience:

  • Young and Indigenous: Created by the youth of the Lummi Nation to share and preserve their Indigenous culture such as language, music, and history.
  • This Place: Based on the bestselling graphic novel anthology of the same name, This Place tells 150 years of Canadian history through Indigenous stories.
  • Pieces: Join 19-year-old Jeremy Ratt on a journey of self discovery as he seeks to understand his mixed Indigenous and white heritage and all of the distinct “pieces” that form who he is today.

Upcoming Events

  • Indigenous Considerations for Newcomers to Canada

    Have you ever wondered about the Indigenous artwork around Vancouver? Do you want to know whose land the City of Vancouver is on? Join us for a newcomer-friendly introduction to Indigenous matters in Vancouver. We will cover land acknowledgements, Truth...

    1:30pm – 3:30pm

    Champlain Heights Branch

  • Writing Prompts with Chris Bose

    A writing prompt is like a tiny spark that gives you an idea or way to enter into writing text for a story, song or poem. It can be as simple as an image, a few words of text that...

    6:30pm – 8:00pm

    Central Library

  • Super Jam Session with Chris Bose

    Come join us for a special super jam session with Indigenous Storyteller in Residence at the VPL, Chris Bose!

    Bring in your own acoustic instruments or take one out for this event through VPL's Musical Instrument Library. We'll also...

    6:30pm – 8:00pm

    Central Library