Amplify Indigenous voices this Indigenous History Month

COURTNEY McCLURE, The Standard

NORTH DURHAM: Did you know June is Indigenous History Month across Canada?

According to the Scugog Memorial Library, Indigenous History Month gives Scugog residents and everyone else a chance to learn something new about First Nations, Inuit and Metis.

Amy Caughlin, the chief executive officer at the Scugog Memorial Library in Port Perry, created a list of Indigenous authors.

Some of these books includes, A Minor Chorus: A Novel by Billy-Ray Belcourt, Bone Black by Carol Rose GoldenEagle and many, many more.

However, Ms. Caughlin is not the only library staff member who has compiled such a list this month. In libraries all across Ontario and Canada, library staff have created lists and other activities to show support for Indigenous History Month.

Cathy Reesor from the Uxbridge Public Library has done her part as well.

The Uxbirdge Library has a collection of books set up recognizing Indigenous authors.

“We work hard to make our collection diverse, and adding books by Indigenous authors adds to our informative and well-rounded collection,” they explained. Ms. Reesor. “Children in our community should learn about the history of this area, as well as the history of what has happened across Canada, by the people who experienced that history.”

Indigenous History Month has weekly themes as well. The theme for the last week of June, June 26th to June 30th, is Reconciliation.

To learn more about Indigenous History Month, please visit the Government of Canada website, specifically at rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca. This will take you to the Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada page.

There are other events and programs happening this summer at the Uxbridge Library as well.

For example, the TD Summer Reading program is starting soon. Registration opens on June 27th. The first day of the program is Wednesday, July 5th.

The TD Summer Reading program is hosted in libraries all across Ontario.

According to the library manager at the Uxbridge Library, Corrinne Morrison, the TD Summer Reading program is a great way to keep kids during their summer holidays.

Ms. Morrison said the program is fun for the kids and allows them to socialize.

Every second Wednesday during this program, staff will prepare an activity. So, the kids are invited to stay at the library to participate in the activity.

The program will be made up of two age groups: Junior Kindergarten (JK) to Grade 3 and Grade 4 to Grade 7.

Students in the first group (JK–Grade 3) meet every second week from 10:30 a.m. until 11 a.m. And the second group meets from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Mason Adams will host the TD Summer Reading program. M. Adams is the summer program coordinator for the Uxbridge Library. M. Adams is studying Supply Chain Management at Durham College.

For this program, participants receive a booklet to keep track of the books they read. Participants will receive stickers and badges throughout the program, too.

Participants can choose any books they would like to read for this program. There are designated books they have to read. They can also read books they already have at home.

To learn more about the TD Summer Reading program, please visit tdsummerreadingclub.ca.