Celebrating Indigenous culture & heritage during National Indigenous History Month

Throughout the month of June, Surrey Schools recognizes National Indigenous History Month, an opportunity to celebrate and honour the Indigenous roots of Canada’s history, as well as locally in Surrey, White Rock and Barnston Island.

Surrey and White Rock are on the shared, unceded, traditional territory of the Katzie, Semiahmoo and Kwantlen First Nations, and other Coast Salish Peoples. The district has more than 3,000 students from these First Nations as well as many others, including Squamish, Gitxsan, Haida, Inuit, Métis, Cree and Mi'kmaw.

2026 marks the 17^th anniversary of National Indigenous History Month, created in 2009 in a unanimous motion in the House of Commons. June 21 of this year also marks the 30^th anniversary of National Indigenous Peoples Day, to recognize the contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples to Canadian history and diversity.

The district is committed ongoing efforts to promote Indigenous culture and history, and to provide appropriate reconciliation. During this school year, these have included:

• Furthering the work of the district’s Equity, Diversity & Belonging Calendar to highlight holidays and acknowledge observances such as National Indigenous History Month, National Indigenous Peoples Day and Orange Shirt Day.
• Continuing efforts with the district’s Racial Equity department to foster safe learning environments for all BIPOC students and staff while eliminating racism and discrimination in our schools.
• Hosting a significant cedar tree planting ceremony at Xw’epiteng Elementary with the Semiahmoo First Nation, symbolizing the collaborative work in the school’s ongoing land-based learning journey.
• Opening École Snokomish Elementary, named in consultation with the Semiahmoo First Nation to honour and recognize the Indigenous history of the area.
• Sharing curriculum supports, educational articles and authentic Indigenous resources through Indigenous Peoples Learning and the Every Child Matters collection on Surrey Schools ONE.
• Providing Summer Learning programs for Indigenous students, including Indigenous math for 75 students at Guildford Park Secondary and the Little Eaglets program for incoming Indigenous kindergarten students, led by cultural facilitators from the district.
• Featuring interviews with Chief Dr. Robert Joseph of the Gwawaenuk First Nation, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Perry Smith of the Bonaparte First Nation and Indigenous education advocate Jo Chrona on episodes of the Leading Voices in Education podcast.
• Upholding the Surrey Board of Education’s commitment to improve Indigenous graduation rates by 2028.
• Promoting National Truth & Reconciliation Day and related events hosted by the Katzie, Kwantlen and Semiahmoo First Nations.
• Recognizing Red Dress Day to remember missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people in Canada.
• Honouring Indigenous soldiers on National Indigenous Veterans Day for their contributions to the First World War, Second World War and Korean War.
• Holding the first Indigenous Winter Solstice Gathering at École Kwantlen Park Secondary, bringing the school community together to learn from Indigenous teachings and honour connections to the land.
• Putting on the district’s first Windspeaker Indigenous Sports Day, bringing together 200 Grade 6 to 8 Indigenous students from across Surrey.
• L.A. Matheson Secondary students attending the Women’s Memorial March, dedicated to missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and gender-diverse people.
• Continuing to collaborate with the B.C. government on Safe, Caring & Inclusive Schools, promoting racial, cultural and Indigenous equity.

As part of the B.C. school curriculum, Indigenous history and culture are referenced in every subject and grade level, from social studies to language arts to science. Additionally, many schools across the district showcase Indigenous artwork, such as welcome figures, murals and carvings that encourage and celebrate a strong and important connection to Indigenous roots.