Learning, Listening, and Celebrating: Reflections on National Indigenous Peoples Day

I have spent a lot of time asking myself what National Indigenous Peoples Day means to me. This year, as a new member of the First Light team, I am fortunate to be able to ask that question in a more meaningful way.

On the day I interviewed for my position at First Light, I told my cab driver I was headed to a job interview. What followed was a series of ignorant comments about DEI hiring and race that left me uncomfortable and disappointed.

“You won’t get the job. You are not the right colour.” 

I walked into the interview carrying an unexpected feeling of uncertainty. Not because I believed what had been said, but because I had been reminded that these attitudes still exist. I did get the job, and the experience stayed with me because it highlighted something important. While many of us may not encounter those views in our daily circles, misconceptions and prejudice toward Indigenous peoples still remain. It also left me reflecting on my responsibility to learn, listen, and speak up when those moments arise. It reminded me why days like National Indigenous Peoples Day matter.

As a non-Indigenous person, I sometimes wondered where learning should begin. What I’ve come to realize is that it doesn’t start with having all the answers. It starts with curiosity and a willingness to listen. It has also meant recognizing gaps in my knowledge of the history of this province and country and understanding that filling them is my responsibility.

There is also a part of me that worries about making mistakes, and I think many non-Indigenous people can relate to that feeling. We want to be respectful, but sometimes we are afraid of saying or doing the wrong thing. The truth is that learning often involves discomfort. What matters is approaching those moments with humility and an openness to listen and do better. My experience so far has been that people in the community are generous with their knowledge and appreciative of genuine efforts to learn. I’ve learned that there is no single Indigenous experience. Newfoundland and Labrador alone is home to diverse Indigenous peoples, cultures, histories, and perspectives.

I have learned that National Indigenous Peoples Day is, above all else, a celebration. Some events throughout the year invite us to reflect on difficult truths and painful chapters of our shared history. Those conversations are important and necessary. But National Indigenous Peoples Day is different. It is a joyful celebration of cultures, traditions, languages, art, music, food, and community.

So, if you’re not sure where to begin, National Indigenous Peoples Day is a great place to start. Learn whose traditional territories you live on. Attend an event. Listen to a performance. Visit a cultural demonstration. Read a book by an Indigenous author. Some notable book recommendations to start include Indigenous Writes by Chelsea Vowel, 21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act by Bob Joseph, and Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer.

That said, Indigenous cultures are not something preserved in a museum or history book. They are living, evolving, and thriving. Indigenous artists, musicians, business owners, knowledge keepers, educators, leaders, and community members continue to shape Newfoundland and Labrador and Canada every day.

National Indigenous Peoples Day is a day for everyone. Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, newcomers and lifelong residents, Elders, adults, youth, and children. It is an opportunity to come together, learn from one another, and celebrate the richness Indigenous peoples bring. It is also a reminder that reconciliation is not something that happens once a year. It happens through everyday actions, conversations, relationships, and commitments. Let this day be a starting point, and let those actions continue after it ends.

I’ve come to realize that learning about Indigenous histories, cultures, and perspectives is not simply about being a better ally. It is also about having a fuller understanding of the place I call home. These stories, histories, and cultures are part of Newfoundland and Labrador’s story. We all benefit from knowing them better.

As someone new to this learning journey, I don’t write this as an expert. I write it as an invitation to myself and to others to keep showing up, listening, learning, and celebrating. And I hope we take that invitation into our daily lives.

As for me, I still have a great deal to learn. Perhaps that is one of the most important lessons National Indigenous Peoples Day offers. We do not need to arrive as experts. We simply need to arrive.

I hope you’ll join us. Show up, listen, learn, and celebrate with us.

Jen Winsor is the new Events & Experience Specialist at First Light – this is her first event with the team but stay tuned to hear more from her & see her at more events in the future!