Indigenous Awareness Week

Dear colleagues,

Indigenous Awareness Week is here! As underlined in the Indigenous Stewardship Policy and the Parks Canada 2026-27 Departmental Plan, all Parks Canada team members play a role in supporting Indigenous stewardship of lands, waters and ice. From May 19 to 22, we invite you to explore and celebrate the diversities of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis cultures, histories, and realities.

Awareness is the starting point, and we encourage everyone to continue this important learning journey well beyond this week. Take the next step toward deepening understanding, on your own or with your team, by leaning into curiosity, reflection, and lived learning. The Indigenous Awareness Week Toolkit provides resources for all types of learners. Show your support by adding an Indigenous Awareness Week background to your MS Teams profile.

The Learning Quest on Indigenous Cultures is another great place to start and this year we’re offering three new documentaries to explore along the way. Watch one (or all!) and use the reflection discussion guide, team worksheets, or a virtual learning journal to capture insights, document what you’ve learned, and reflect together.

Relationship-building lies at the heart of Indigenous stewardship, and cultural fluency brings it to life in ways that are meaningful and respectful. This introductory video invites everyone to deepen their understanding of the Indigenous Stewardship Living & Learning Journey. It highlights what the journey looks like in practice, using real examples and scenarios from across Parks Canada to show how we can all engage meaningfully with Indigenous stewardship principles in our daily work.

These opportunities are not limited to Indigenous Awareness Week. Learning can occur at any time throughout the year. As you continue along your learning path, know that each step, no matter how small, contributes to a lifelong journey of understanding, relationship, and responsibility.

Respectfully,

Jonathan Arnold
Executive Director, Ontario and Waterways, Co-Champion for Indigenous Employees

Patrick Boucher
Vice-President, Real Property and Assets, Co-Champion for Indigenous Employees

Andrew Campbell

Interim President & CEO