Indigenous History and Pride Month

Stronger together. Everyone is welcome at our campfire.

We come together to recognize Indigenous History Month and Pride Month this June to support one another. We ask our Scouting family to take advantage of the increased opportunities being offered this month in your communities that support our Indigenous and 2SLGBTQ+ youth, Scouters, parents, family, friends and neighbours. 

When we actively advocate for human rights and freedoms, we are bringing our vision to life and making meaningful contributions that help create a better and more genuinely inclusive world. 

Scouts Canada stands in support and celebration of these communities and has a series of awareness activities and resources to point to, to further the learning journey of our members and organization. 

 

Reconciliation Activities

2SLBGTQI+ Activities

Indigenous History Month began in 2009 with the passing of a unanimous motion in the House of Commons, with June 21^st identified as National Indigenous Peoples Day. The purpose is to carve out focused time to honour achievements, perspectives and diversity of Indigenous peoples across Canada.

In 2023, Scouts Canada apologized to First Nations, Métis and Inuit people for the role we played in Canada’s residential and day school system. Used as the program of choice alongside the Church, Scouting helped strip Indigenous youth of their cultural identities.

In order to be a welcoming organization where all youth and volunteers feel they belong, we must first recognize and apologize for the specific wrongs we have done, and the ongoing impact of our actions. 

 

Our Apology

Why Apologies Matter

Additionally, June is also Pride Month. Originating in the United States and celebrated in Canada as well, June commemorates the 1969 Stonewall riots that advocated for 2SLGBTQI+ equality. 

“While our Scouting community is diverse, we aren't set up in a way that consistently creates a safe and welcoming experience for everyone. We are on a long journey, working to improve our practices and grow beyond a traditional, colonial legacy. As we move forward, Scouts Canada has to be Scouts for everyone.”

— Liam Burns, Scouts Canada’s CEO & Executive Commissioner  

While Scouts Canada’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Reconciliation Journey (DEIR) is ongoing, we remain committed to becoming a responsible ally, friend and neighbour to peoples and communities across the country—not just during the month of June, but 365 days of the year. 

Since Scouts Canada's DEIR journey began, we have completed meaningful work within our Scouting community, including:

• 2023: An Apology to First Nations, Métis and Inuit people.
• 2023: Co-hosted a Youth Leadership Summit with world-renowned youth activist, Autumn Peltier, and Future Ancestors.
• 2023: Offered workshops for staff and volunteers, “Past Present Future: Understanding our Past to Design an Authentically Inclusive Future”.
• 2023: Indigenous Rights Blanket Exercise workshop, training by KAIROS, for staff and volunteers in leadership roles.
• 2023: Conducted an internal Inclusion Survey with staff and volunteers as part of a third-party audit of Scouts Canada's culture. 
• 2023: Conducted interviews with two historians, James Trepanier and Christine Alexander, to understand Scouts Canada's past and inform our present and future.
• 2022: Published a report summarizing our Reconciliation + Inclusion Listening Sessions.
• 2022: Offered an Indigenous-led, Trauma-Informed Reconciliation + Allyship Training Series. 

We look forward to continuing the efforts of our DEIR journey, moving forward together.