Programming & Services
The Indigenous Student Services team continues to create events, programming and activities to support our students and community. Please continue to reach out to our team for support, and utilize the events to engage with peers and staff.
Reminder: Mohawk College, is meant to be a safe and respectful environment for our Indigenous students to gather and stay connected.
For Indigenous learners looking to stay up-to-date with what's happening in Indigenous Student Services, please be sure to complete the Voluntary Self-Identification Form to opt-in to the monthly Indigenous Student Services newsletter. The Indigenous Student Services Newsletter is a great source of information including upcoming events and programming, awards and bursaries, satellite spotlight, important academic dates, community news, and more!
Have an event idea? We welcome your feedback, contact: iess [at] mohawkcollege.ca (iess[at]mohawkcollege[dot]ca)
Additional Events and Programming:
June is National Indigenous History Month
It's a time for everyone - Indigenous, non-Indigenous and newcomers - to reflect upon and learn the history, sacrifices, cultures, contributions, and strength of First Nations, Inuit and Metis people. It’s important to keep in mind that First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples each have their own unique histories. And within each group, there are distinct histories.
Indigenous Peoples Day: June 21st
The summer solstice is a day that Indigenous peoples around the world have celebrated for thousands of years. The Earth’s northern hemisphere is tilted as close as it gets toward the sun, and we enjoy the longest day of light in the year.
Across the land, First Nations will gather and share in ceremonies and traditions that have been carried out for thousands of years. We gather to celebrate and to thank Mother Earth for her gifts. And we gather to celebrate our languages, cultures and ceremonies, which have persevered and prevailed.
In Canada on June 21st, the summer solstice celebration has become National Indigenous Peoples Day, a day of celebration for the contributions and cultures of Indigenous peoples.
Looking to get involved in Indigenous Peoples Day events? Here’s a look at some of the events going on in the community:
National Indigenous History Month: Blood & Water
Saturday June 7, 2025, 11:00am - 12:00pm | Central Library Hamilton Room
- Watch Blood & Water: A Story of Reclamation, which exposes the modern-day impact and generational trauma caused by residential schools. The screening is followed by a question session with the director Layla Staats.
Indigenous Storytelling: Save Turtle Island - In-Branch Program
Saturday June 14, 2025, 11:00am - 12:00pm | Westdale Branch Library Program Room
- Listen to Indigenous stories about conservation, regeneration, resilience and the importance of protecting our only home, Turtle Island, for future generations. Presented by local artist Jim Adams.
Re-Neighbouring as Reconciliation
Wednesday June 18, 2025, 6pm - 8pm | Art Gallery of Hamilton, Tanenbaum Pavilion
- Join us to celebrate National Indigenous People's Day. Learn about a project working to “re-neighbour” Haundenosaunee and Inuit communities impacted historically by the local residential school and Hamilton Mountain TB Sanatorium. Art created by Inuit patients of“ the San” will be available for viewing.
- Keynote Speaker: Vanessa Watts is an Associate Professor and Paul R.Mac Pherson Chair in Indigenous Studies at McMaster University. She is the lead researcher on “Re-neighbouring as Reconciliation,” a 5-year project funded by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.
- Register: ReNeighbouring.eventbrite.ca
Noon Hour Concert - Keith Silver: Guitar, Voice
June 20, 2025, 12:00pm - 1:00pm | Central Library Living Room
- Keith Silver takes the stage in Central Library's Living Room. From the Six Nations of the Grand River territory, Keith Silver's music is rich and soulful.
Soaring Spirit Festival & Pow Wow 2025 (multiple dates)
Friday June 20, 2025, 4 pm - 9 pm | Sat. June 21 & Sun. June 22, 10am - 7pm | Battlefield House Museum & Park 77 King St. E., Stoney Creek
- 28th Annual Soaring Spirit Festival & Pow Wow honouring all our relations and Indigenous Peoples Day! Featuring dancers, drummers, vendors, food & live music at this all nations family event - FREE attendance.
- For more information, visit: Soaring Spirit Festival and Pow Wow
National Indigenous Peoples Day
Saturday, June 21, 2025, 12pm - 4 pm | West Harbour – James Street Plaza, 3 Guise Street Hamilton
- Everyone is welcome for a free afternoon of culture, community, and celebration featuring: Indigenous performances, Indigenous artisan vendors, Local food trucks
- For full event details, visit: https://www.hamilton.ca/people-programs/inclusion-diversity-equity-accessibility/indigenous-relations/indigenous-dates-9
Woodland Cultural Centre National Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration
Saturday June 21, 2025, 11am - 4pm | Woodland Cultural Centre
- The event will feature music, art, speakers, and an artisan market showcasing the immense talent within our communities across Turtle Island.
- Deadline for vendor / volunteer opportunities, June 5, 2025. Visit: https://woodlandculturalcentre.ca/vendor-callout-nipd-2025/
Family Movies at Ancaster - Our People Will Be Healed (2017) G
Saturday June 21, 2025, 1pm - 3pm | Ancaster Branch Library
- Commemorate National Indigenous Peoples’ Day with a screening of Our People Will Be Healed. Indigenous filmmaker Alanis Obomsawin’s 50th film reveals how the power of education has enriched a Cree community in Manitoba.
National Indigenous Peoples Day gala: Sweet Summer Pow Wow film
Saturday June 21, 7:30pm Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts
- About the film: A young Indigenous couple get a break from their troubled lives when they find each other through a summer of love on the Pow-Wow circuit. This screening includes an Indigenous drummer and dancer performing as people enter the theatre.
- Watch the trailer, more information and tickets here: https://offa2025.eventive.org/schedule/67faac03438819fc74642e81
Sunday June 22, 5pm Cineplex Square One Mississauga
- About the film: Throughout the course of the Haida basketball season, leaders of iconic rez ball team the Skidegate Saints compete for two titles - defending their All-Native Basketball Championship, while also battling for title to their land and waters with the government that stole it from them with the Indian Act.
- Watch the trailer, more information and tickets here: https://offa2025.eventive.org/schedule/6814271bded620b5c827d69c
The film Delta Dawn will also be screened with Saints and Warriors.
- About the film: DELTA DAWN explores the early life and career of Indigenous wrestling sensation Dawn Murphy aka Princess Delta Dawn who rose to fame in the 1980s and early 1990s as well as her present day life in Prince George, bc. After competing in the pro wrestling circuit in Canada, Dawn rose to international success at the age of 17 and became the first Indigenous woman and the first Canadian woman to compete in Japan.
Link to film festival schedule: https://offa2025.eventive.org/schedule
Film festival films guide: https://offa2025.eventive.org/films
