06/01/2026
A young boy sat quietly by the fire, listening as his Kokum spoke.
"Do you know who you are?" she asked. The boy shrugged.
Kokum smiled and pointed to the stars above. "You come from people who survived. People who knew the medicines, followed the buffalo, paddled the rivers, protected the land, and carried their teachings through the hardest times."
Years later, the boy faced challenges of his own. There were days he felt lost, disconnected, and unsure of where he belonged. Then he remembered Kokum's words.
He learned that being Indigenous was not just about the past. It was in the language spoken by Elders, the drumbeat at a powwow, the laughter of children, the strength of survivors, and the love shared within community.
As he looked up at the same stars, he finally understood.
His ancestors were not behind him. They were walking beside him.
This National Indigenous History Month, we celebrate the strength, resilience, cultures, languages, and contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples.
Our stories continue. Our cultures thrive. We are still here.
