Celebrating Indigenous culture & heritage during National Indigenous History Month

This June, Surrey Schools is recognizing National Indigenous History Month, an opportunity to celebrate and honour the Indigenous roots of Canada’s history, as well as locally in Surrey, White Rock and Barnston Island.

Surrey and White Rock are on the shared, unceded, traditional territory of the Katzie, Semiahmoo and Kwantlen Nations, and other Coast Salish Peoples. The district has more than 3,200 students from these First Nations as well as many others, including Squamish, Gitxsan, Haida, Inuit, Métis, Cree and Mi'kmaw.

2024 marks the 15th anniversary of National Indigenous History Month, created in 2009 in a unanimous motion in the House of Commons. June 21 also marks National Indigenous Peoples Day, to recognize the contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples to Canadian history and diversity.

The district is committed ongoing efforts to promote Indigenous culture and history, and to provide appropriate reconciliation. During this school year, these efforts have included:

• Launched the district’s Equity, Diversity & Belonging Calendar to highlight holidays and acknowledge observances such as National Indigenous History Month, National Indigenous Peoples Day and Orange Shirt Day.
• Continuing work with the district’s Racial Equity department to foster safe learning environments for all BIPOC students and staff while eliminating racism and discrimination in our schools.
• Supporting proposed amendments to the School Act to raise Indigenous voices on decisions affecting the education of Indigenous students in B.C.
• Upholding the Surrey Board of Education’s commitment to improving Indigenous graduation rates by 2028.
• Promoting National Truth & Reconciliation Day and related events hosted by the Katzie, Kwantlen and Semiahmoo First Nations.
• Recognizing Red Dress Day to remember missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people in Canada.
• Honouring Indigenous soldiers on National Indigenous Veterans Day for their contributions to the First World War, Second World War and Korean War.
• Preparing the launch of the outdoor land-based learning program at Hall’s Prairie Elementary, which is rooted in Indigenous Coast Salish culture, traditions and history as stewards of the land, with support from the Semiahmoo First Nation.
• Highlighting such award-winning teachers as Rochelle Prasad and Thais Pimental Cabral for their work with Indigenous youth.
• Hosting a STEM workshop celebrating Indigenous excellence alongside UBC’s InSTEM (Indigenous STEM) program.

As part of the B.C. school curriculum, Indigenous history and culture are referenced in every subject and grade level, from social studies to language arts to science. Additionally, many schools across the district showcase Indigenous artwork, such as welcome figures, murals and carvings that encourage and celebrate a strong and important connection to Indigenous roots.