June is National Indigenous History Month in Canada, a time to recognize and reflect on the rich history, heritage, resilience and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis.

Durham College (DC) is committed to reconciliation, with the goal of building respectful, reciprocal relationships that will contribute to better educational outcomes for all students. This is underscored by our Indigenization Statement that we signed eight years ago, developed together with the First Peoples Indigenous Centre (FPIC) and in consultation with the Durham College Indigenous Advisory Circle. The statement serves as a means of working towards the fulfillment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action.  

Recognizing reconciliation requires genuine efforts to address the historical and ongoing injustices faced by Indigenous communities, education plays a pivotal role in this process. All members of our DC community to learn more about the history of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples, and educate themselves about Indigenous histories, strengths and contributions and take meaningful steps towards reconciliation.  

Here are a few ways to get your learning started:

• Browsing the First Peoples Indigenous Centre’s website for information and resources
• Joining an Indigenous event on campus or online
• Learning more about the importance of Land Acknowledgements

We are proud of the work we have done as a community, guided by FPIC and our Indigenization Council, to support Indigenization across our campuses and in our daily practices. We will continue to work together with Indigenous partners to guide our work to broaden our collective knowledge, challenge our perspectives and foster empathy and understanding, moving forward.