Image credit: CIRA

June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day — a time to celebrate the strength, innovation, culture and histories of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples.

The day is held on the summer solstice in recognition of the many celebrations and community gatherings traditionally held by Indigenous peoples at this time of year. These gatherings include traditional cultural activities, parades, festivals, dancing, music and food. You can find a list of public gatherings and celebrations in BC at the Indigenous Tourism BC website.

Cultural connections — like those made during these annual summer celebrations — offer important mental health benefits for Indigenous youth. Mental health practitioners can promote well-being by supporting Indigenous young people to connect with their cultures, and policy-makers can also play a role by supporting Indigenous communities to ensure their cultures flourish. For more information, see Vol. 17, No. 2, page 3 (sidebar on enhancing mental health for Arctic Indigenous youth) of the Children’s Mental Health Research Quarterly.