On Monday, June 18, Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences in partnership with Durham Mental Health Services hosts a celebration marking National Indigenous Peoples Day. The celebration will include Indigenous art, music and ceremony in addition to traditional foods and beverages.

Ontario Shores Social Worker Michelle Michener-Rousell explains “Last January, after attending a workshop on Indigenous Cultural Resilience, a colleague and I were inspired to see if Ontario Shores could host an event to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day. Last year was our inaugural event. We opened with an acknowledgement that we stand upon the traditional lands of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation, followed by traditional ceremonies, drumming and music, and a guest speaker who provided education and spoke about his journey. This year the focus is on Indigenous Arts and Crafts. We are honoured to have an artist-in-residence who will share and speak about his work and life journey.”

DMHS Aboriginal Mental Health and Addictions Worker Connie Spencer says “This event is extremely important on more than one level. First and foremost, National Indigenous Peoples Day is a day for everyone to celebrate and learn about the different aspects of Indigenous culture. With this event, we can also highlight the value and contributions that traditional ways of healing can bring to mental health. The collaboration between Durham Mental Health Services and Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences demonstrates that both agencies are committed to support and raise awareness of the local Indigenous community.

All are welcome to join this event on Monday, June 18 from 11:00am to 1:00pm in the Auditorium at Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences (700 Gordon Street, Whitby).