- Opening ceremonies recognize the start of Indigenous Month events in Niagara
- Renowned Inuk throat singer and published author Tanya Tagaq to discuss her book, Split Tooth
- Performances on the Niagara Stage by Tanya Tagaq and RUMBLE THE CONCERT
Niagara Falls, ON – In recognition of June as National Indigenous Month, Niagara Parks joins a number of local organizations in hosting special events, ceremonies, and programming throughout the entire month beginning on Saturday, June 1, at the Landscape of Nations Memorial at Queenston Heights Park.
Opening Ceremonies
June 1 at 2 p.m.
Landscape of Nations Memorial, Queenston Heights Park
To mark the kick-off of Indigenous Month, Niagara Parks is partnering with the Landscape of Nations 360° Indigenous Education Initiative to host a special ceremony featuring guest speakers and traditional song and dance with Cam Hill, Cleveland Thomas and Lindyn Hill. Guest speakers include:
- Niagara Parks Chair Sandie Bellows
- Niagara Centre MP Vance Badawey
- Tim Johnson, Director of Landscape of Nations 360˚ and former Associate Director for Museum Programs at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of the American Indian
- Michele-Elise Burnett, President of Kakekalanicks, an Indigenous arts and consultancy company which helps promote Indigenous art and artists
- Raymond Skye, the renowned Six Nations artist responsible for the fine art components of the Landscape of Nations memorial
Interactive Educational Experience
June 14 from 2 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Landscape of Nations Memorial, Queenston Heights Park
Learn about traditional Indigenous foods and participate in storytelling, crafts, drumming and dancing workshops.
Coast to Coast Literary Series: Tanya Tagaq
June 27 from 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Queenston Chapel, Laura Secord Homestead
Celebrated Inuk throat singer and published author Tanya Tagaq speaks about her book, Split Tooth, a story of a girl growing up in Nunavut in the 1970s.
Admission to the event is $10.00. Seating is limited, for more information and to purchase tickets, please visit niagaraparks.com/indigenousmonth or contact Laura Secord Homestead at: (905) 262-4851. A cash bar and light refreshments will be available.
The Niagara Stage Presents: Tanya Tagaq
June 28 at 8 p.m.
Queen Victoria Place Stage
Unnerving and exquisite, Tagaq’s unique vocal expression may be rooted in Inuit throat singing, but her music has as much to do with electronica, industrial and metal influences as it does with traditional culture. Tanya Tagaq won the Polaris Prize for best Canadian album in 2014 and released her latest album, Retribution, in 2016.
The Niagara Stage: RUMBLE THE CONCERT
June 29 at 8 p.m.
Queen Victoria Place Stage
Featuring two-time JUNO Award winner Derek Miller and other celebrated musicians, RUMBLE THE CONCERT presents songs that tell the story of Indigenous influences in shaping roots, blues, jazz, folk, and rock music genres.
For more information about Niagara Parks events for Indigenous Month, please visit niagaraparks.com/indigenousmonth.
About Landscape of Nations 360˚
Many important events that shaped Canada’s history took place within the Niagara region before, during, and after the War of 1812. Building upon the messages incorporated within the Landscape of Nations Memorial (and including other memorials and heritage locations within the Niagara region such as the First Nations Peace Monument in Thorold, the Commons in Niagara-on-the-Lake where the Indian Council House once stood, as well as Fort George, Old Fort Erie, and battle sites) and working in partnership with the District School Board of Niagara, the Niagara Catholic District School Board, and other schools in the area, LON 360° is developing a comprehensive, scholarship-based effort to improve the depth of understanding and quality of instruction about Indigenous peoples in the Niagara region’s K-12 schools.
For more information about the memorial, please visit landscapeofnations.com.
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