Indigenous History Month and what’s happening on Twitter for 2021

National Indigenous History Month (#IndigenousHistoryMonth) is recognized each June in Canada and stands as an important tribute to the heritage and diversity of First Nation, Inuit, and Métis communities. 

Conversations had during #IndigenousHistoryMonth are part of a rich year-round dialogue from key Indigenous voices across our country with our service providing a pulse on the most important topics and trends in these communities.

The official Indigenous History Month emoji brings extra colour to these conversations each June. Designed by Chippewa/Potawatomi artist and member of the Rama First Nation Chief Lady Bird (@chiefladybird), the emoji unlocks any time you send one of several Indigenous hashtags.

• #IndigenousHistoryMonth
• #MoisHistoireAutochtone
• #IndigenousPeoplesDay
• #JournéeNationalePeuplesAutochtones   
• #IPD
• #IPDCanada
• #JPA
• #JPACanada

For people who use our service every day, Twitter offers a space where Indigenous experiences can be shared, discussed and highlighted in real time. We have invested in tools and features to add value for these audiences. This includes features like the 2021 Canadian Census prompt we debuted in May of this year, available in 14 languages including seven Indigenous languages: Inuktitut (Nunavut), Ojibway, Inuktitut (Nunavik), Oji-Cree, Plains Cree, Dene, and Atikamekw.

The COVID-19 vaccine rollout has been a topic that has regularly trended across Canada in the first five months of this year. For many people in our country, there has been a degree of hesitancy to taking the vaccine. This led to advocacy and information provided on Twitter by leading organizations like the Assembly of First Nations (@AFN_Updates). Led by National Chief Perry Bellegarde (@perrybellegarde), the AFN shared this powerful video, focused on safety, community and informed decision making with regards to vaccines and public health.

While Indigenous History Month is often a time of celebration, it is also a time to learn and share. Difficult conversations also take place on Twitter. Residential schools operated in Canada for more than 160 years, with upwards of 150,000 children passing through their doors. The recent remains of 215 children found at former B.C. residential school has been characterized as an unthinkable loss.

Diversify Your Feed

Twitter is deeply honoured by how our service is used by Indigenous activists and advocates every day. The continued efforts of these individuals makes it easy to learn and listen to these and other important conversations. The hashtags above are a great starting point. In addition, in recent years, several useful guides have been published that recommend other top Indingeous accounts to follow to further diversify your feed. 

Here are three such examples that caught our eye

• Key voices of #NativeTwitter as suggested by CBC Indigenous.
• Must-follows as recommended by Animikii, a digital agency from Victoria, British Columbia that drives social innovation through Indigenous technology.
• Top voices of Indigenous journalism in our country, selected by Nd’Anishinaabe journalist Duncan McCue.

The Indigenous conversation in our country is an essential part of our history, our heritage and our culture. Follow key Twitter accounts, hashtags and topics to stay informed and engaged.