EVENT TO TAKE PLACE ON JUNE 27^th AS PART OF
2018 INDIGENOUS HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION

PERFORMERS TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON

Toronto, ON – June 12, 2018 – The Native Canadian Centre of Toronto (NCCT), together with the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund (DWF), are pleased to announce the 2018 Indigenous History Month Celebration. For the first time ever, this annual one-day celebration and take-over of Yonge & Dundas Square, now in its ninth year, will culminate in a free concert featuring an amazing line up of special guest artists. The family-friendly event will also feature Indigenous arts, crafts, entertainment and showcase the vital work of Indigenous community organizations. Stay tuned for performer info, which will be announced soon.

“We are really excited to be partnering with the NCCT to host this Indigenous History Month Celebration at Yonge & Dundas Square,” says Mike Downie, Co-Founder of the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund. “It’s a great opportunity to showcase not only Indigenous art, culture and music, but it’s an event that, to me, signifies us working together as a community in the spirit of reconciliation. It’s going to be a great day.”

The 9^th annual Indigenous History Month Celebration is made possible with the generous support of Miziwe Biik, Heritage Canada, Rogers Communications, The Native Canadian Centre of Toronto (NCCT), and the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund, with Lead Support from TD Bank Group.

To help individuals and communities prosper in a changing world, TD launched The Ready Commitment, a new multi-year program to open doors for a more inclusive tomorrow. As part of The Ready Commitment, TD will target a total of CDN $1 billion by 2030 towards community giving in four areas critical to building an inclusive future. "As part of The Ready Commitment, TD is excited to support the event at Yonge & Dundas Square in celebration of National Indigenous History Month," says Andrea Barrack, Vice President, Global Corporate Citizenship, TD Bank Group.  "Through music, art, and storytelling the event will shine a light on the rich contributions, and diverse heritages and cultures of Indigenous communities. It will create a space for people to connect and listen to one another, a moment to reflect, and inspire us to look towards a more inclusive future."

Indigenous History Month (June) was first proposed in 1995 by Elijah Harper, and was officially declared in Canada in 2009. Indigenous History Month provides an opportunity to recognize not only the historic contributions of Indigenous peoples to the development of Canada, but also the strength of present-day Indigenous communities and their promise for the future. Indigenous History Month is a time to acknowledge the role Indigenous peoples played in the development of Canada, to honour Indigenous heritage and to celebrate Indigenous cultures. It is also an opportunity to reflect on the strength of present day First Nation, Métis and Inuit communities, and their hopes for the future.

“We are thrilled to be back for our 9^th proud year as host to the Indigenous History Month Celebration at Yonge & Dundas Square,” comments Larry Frost, Executive Director at The Native Canadian Centre of Toronto. “Special consideration should be made to acknowledge the contributions of Indigenous people to the fabric of Canadian society for the past century and a half as well as look towards future milestones with renewed partnerships and prosperity.”

About The Native Canadian Centre
The Native Canadian Centre is a membership-based, charitable organization located in the heart of downtown Toronto in a beautifully renovated heritage building. NCCT offers a wide range of programs and services based on Native cultural traditions and teachings. All are welcome. www.ncct.on.ca @downiewenjack

About The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund
The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund (DWF) is part of Gord Downie’s legacy and embodies his commitment, and that of both the Downie and Wenjack families, to call Canadians to learning and action in solidarity with Indigenous peoples of this land. The goal of DWF is to continue the conversation that began with Chanie Wenjack’s residential school story, and to support the reconciliation process through awareness, education, and action. www.downiewenjack.ca @NativeCentre

#DoSomething #ReconciliACTION #IndigenousHistoryMonth