06/22/2026
We are celebrating National Indigenous Peoples Day by highlighting members of the community who have made a positive impact.
🟧 Richard Wagamese, An Ojibwe author from the Wabaseemoong Independent Nations, Richard Wagamese was one of Canada’s most powerful literary voices. Through storytelling, he explored deeply personal truths about identity, healing, culture, and resilience.
His beloved final book, Embers: One Ojibway's Meditations, serves as a profound guide to spiritual reflection and inner peace. Ultimately, Wagamese’s work continues to inspire reconciliation, reminding us that stories carry the power to both truth-tell and heal.
🟧 Dr. Cindy Blackstock, A proud member of the Gitxsan First Nation, Dr. Blackstock is one of Canada’s most fierce and tireless champions for Indigenous children’s rights.
As the Executive Director of the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society, she has spent decades fighting systemic discrimination. Her monumental, historic work led to a landmark Canadian Human Rights Tribunal ruling that forced the federal government to compensate First Nations children harmed by the inequitable child welfare system.
Armed with moral courage, sharp intellect, and a relentless dedication to justice, Cindy reminds us all that reconciliation means ensuring every child has a fair chance to grow up safe, healthy, and proud of who they are.
🟧 The Halluci Nation, formerly known as A Tribe Called Red, is a powerhouse in electronic music. By mixing traditional Pow Wow drumming and singing with hip-hop, dubstep, and electronic beats, they created a totally new sound called "Electric Pow Wow."
Their music is more than just a great beat, it’s a movement. Through their high-energy shows, they send a strong message about Indigenous pride, strength, and unity.
🟧 Tantoo Cardinal is a proud Cree and Métis actor. She is a legend of the screen and stage. With a career spanning over 50 years, she opened doors for Indigenous representation in Hollywood and Canadian cinema. An Order of Canada recipient, Tantoo doesn't just play characters, she brings deep truth, grace, and strength to every role.
You’ve seen her in iconic films like Dances with Wolves, Legends of the Fall, and Smoke Signals, as well as Marvel's Echo and Killers of the Flower Moon.