Future Intended: Celebrating Indigenous communities

To mark Indigenous History Month and Indigenous Peoples Day we’re highlighting HCF-supported projects that leverage Indigenous knowledge, experiences and communities in Hamilton.

• McMaster Indigenous Research Institute
  From Indigenous research reform to innovative interdisciplinary research and knowledge translation, the McMaster Indigenous Research Institute (MIRI) is one of the only institutes in Canada dedicated to study that centres Indigenous ways of knowing as valid scientific knowledge. Read more here.

• Reconciliation through music
  Intercultural understanding, empathy and mutual respect are laid out in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action. Through this music-based program from Métis Women’s Circle, kids at Hess Street School experience traditional Metis dancing, singing, drumming and teachings over an eight-week period, a wonderful example of reconciliation in action.

• NYA:WEH Elementary
  NYA:WEH Elementary, co-ordinated by Niwasa Head Start, engages and supports First Nation, Métis and Inuit students in Grades 6, 7 and 8. Students are encouraged to smudge, sing, bead, talk or drum and can re-engage with NYA:WEH at the secondary school level once they’ve graduated.
• Endaayang Knowledge Keeper
  Endaayang, which translates to “our home” in Ojibwa, is an initiative of the Hamilton Regional Indian Centre that gives housing support to Indigenous youths at risk of homelessness. A key component of the program is connecting youths with their culture through elders who serve as “knowledge keepers”. Read coverage of the program in the Hamilton Spectator here.
• Strawberry Thunder Festival
  The first annual Strawberry Thunder Festival is a multicultural celebration that took place earlier this month and featured Indigenous singing, drumming and crafts. We’re proud to support this community celebration from Keith Neighbourhood Community Hub.

Future Intended is an ongoing series that spotlights some of our most recent granting in categories like music, visual art, literacy, the environment and more.