Every June, National Indigenous History Month invites Canadians to reflect on the strength, wisdom, and resilience of Indigenous communities across Turtle Island. But for many Indigenous people, this reflection happens daily, woven into our values, our work, and our stories.
Learning through legacy
As an Indigenous Inclusion facilitator, I often tell clients that understanding the why behind inclusion work begins with understanding the people and histories behind the policies. For me, that story begins with my late Nohkom (Grandmother), Dora Morin, a Métis woman from Green Lake, Saskatchewan, and a cornerstone of our family.
Before she passed, my Nohkom taught me more about community, resilience, and cultural identity than any textbook ever could. One of my final memories with her, holding her hand, reflecting on her life, and promising to carry her legacy forward, has stayed with me through every presentation I give and every client I support.
Culture lives in action, not just recognition
Watching the film Coco recently, which portrays the Day of the Dead tradition of honoring ancestors, reminded me that legacy isn’t preserved through a single month, it’s kept alive through everyday storytelling, action, and cultural remembrance.
That’s what National Indigenous History Month is about. It’s a time to listen, reflect, and recommit, not only to honoring Indigenous history but also to reshaping systems that have historically excluded Indigenous voices.
What companies often get wrong in June
Many organizations see June as a time for acknowledgment: a land statement, a speaker event, a LinkedIn post. These gestures can be meaningful if they’re backed by long-term, actionable commitments. But too often, they stop at awareness and miss the opportunity to build accountability.
Hiring Indigenous talent is a start, but inclusion requires more.
What real Indigenous inclusion looks like
It looks like:
- Safe environments where Indigenous employees don’t feel the burden of representing entire communities
- Continuous learning so non-Indigenous colleagues can self-educate and share responsibility
- Policies and training shaped by Indigenous input, not just external optics
Companies that succeed in Indigenous inclusion listen deeply, invest in cultural competency, and understand that reconciliation is a journey, not a checkbox.
Listen, learn, & lead beyond June
This month, I encourage you not just to listen to Indigenous stories, but to carry them forward. Learn the names of the leaders. Understand the teachings of the Elders. Acknowledge the communities whose land we live and work on.
As I continue to honor my Nohkom, I invite you to honor the Indigenous voices around you, not just in June, but every day.
Knowledge is a gift. Keep journeying, my friends.
— Roy Pogorzelski is Métis/Cree from Saskatchewan, Indigenous Inclusion Facilitator, Educator & Advocate
