As part of the public broadcaster’s ongoing commitment to reflect Indigenous communities across Canada, CBC is recognizing National Indigenous History Month and National Indigenous Peoples Day with a broadcast, streaming, audio and digital lineup of original and special programming that showcases First Nations, Métis and Inuit perspectives and experiences. This meaningful spotlight on Indigenous storytelling comes after the release earlier this year of CBC/Radio-Canada’s National Indigenous Strategy, a roadmap to enable deliberate planning to strengthen relations with First Nations, Inuit and Métis across all areas of operations.
National Indigenous History Month honours the history, heritage and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis across the country. It is also an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the strength of present-day Indigenous communities by sharing stories from an Indigenous point of view, told by Indigenous-led creative teams. CBC aims to foreground diverse Indigenous voices year-round, offering national audiences authentic and engaging storytelling that can’t be found anywhere else, and nurturing new Indigenous creators and aspiring journalists through development programs that offer participants valuable hands-on experience and coaching support.
A selection of CBC’s broad range of programming this month and beyond is highlighted below:
*Schedule is subject to change*
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NATIONAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY – Friday, June 21
CBC TV and CBC Gem will broadcast and stream a selection of Indigenous-led documentaries, films and series throughout the day and late night on Friday, June 21, including the following titles:
- 7 p.m. (7:30 NT) on CBC TV and CBC Gem
2024 INDSPIRE AWARDS
Twelve outstanding Indigenous achievers from a diverse list of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities will be celebrated during the broadcast of the 2024 INDSPIRE AWARDS, which recognize outstanding achievements from Indigenous peoples across the country in a variety of fields, including: the arts; business and commerce; culture, heritage and spirituality; education; health; language; law and justice; public service; and lifetime achievement. Three Youth Award winners are also honoured for their accomplishments, serving as role models to other First Nations, Inuit, and Métis youth across Turtle Island. Learn more about this year’s recipients here. - 8 p.m. (8:30 NT) on CBC TV and CBC Gem
RECLAIMED PRESENTS: ʔəm̓i ce:p xʷiwəl COME TOWARD THE FIRE (2023)
COME TOWARD THE FIRE celebrates Indigenous talent, creativity and brilliance, with music performances from Black Belt Eagle Scout, Zoon, Tia Wood and more, captured from the main stage of the University of British Columbia’s Chan Centre for the Performing Arts ahead of last year’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. - 9 p.m. (9:30 NT) on CBC TV and CBC Gem
EAGLE & HAWK TAKE THE STAGE is a documentary that explores the world through the eyes of one of Canada’s longest-running Indigenous bands. - 9:30 p.m. (10 NT) on CBC TV and CBC Gem
STILL STANDING “Rankin Inlet, NU”
The economy of Rankin Inlet, Nunavut has seen its ups and downs but the struggles that come with living in this remote and unforgiving landscape remain constant. - To celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day, CBC Music is presenting a full day of radio programming to highlight the work of Indigenous artists, songwriters and composers. This includes CBC Music’s DRIVE Deep Dive on the JUNO and Polaris-winning album Animism by Tanya Tagaq and at 3 p.m. local, CBC Music will be rebroadcasting RECLAIMED PRESENTS: ʔƏM̓I CE:P XʷIWƏL COME TOWARD THE FIRE, celebrating Indigenous talent, creativity and brilliance with live music performances taken from the main stage of the Chan Centre ahead of last year’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. On June 29, SATURDAY NIGHT JAZZ’s Long Play featured album will be Mimi O’Bonsawin’s Sweet Tooth.
Saturday, June 22 beginning at 9 a.m. ET on CBC Gem, and at 9 p.m. local (9:30 NT) on CBC TV
BONES OF CROWS (127min., Drama, written and directed by Marie Clements)
Removed from their family home and forced into Canada’s residential school system, Cree musical prodigy Aline (played throughout her life by Summer Testawich; Grace Dove, Monkey Beach; and Carla Rae, Rutherford Falls) and her siblings are plunged into a struggle for survival. A feature film version of the series commissioned by CBC/Radio-Canada in association with APTN, BONES OF CROWS is Aline’s journey from child to matriarch, a moving multi-generational epic of resilience, survival and the pursuit of justice.
Sunday, June 23 at 2 p.m. (2:30 NT) on CBC Radio and CBC Listen
UNRESERVED 10th Anniversary Special
A live taping of UNRESERVED celebrates a decade of learning and unlearning with host Rosanna Deerchild. Laughter is our medicine and we’ve had plenty of it over the last 10 years. Humour has helped us celebrate the good stuff and get through the hard stuff together. As we explore the art of a good laugh, some of our favourite storytellers will drop in, sit on our talk show couch and share how they elevate and celebrate Indigenous communities and our stories. The show includes comedy by Sherry McKay, music by Douzie and the return of UNRESERVED’s Aunties Circle featuring Vida Lamour, Sonya Ballantyne and Shelagh Rogers.
Friday, June 28 beginning at 9 a.m. ET on CBC Gem, and at 8 p.m. local (8:30 NT) on CBC TV
CAFÉ DAUGHTER (96min, Drama, co-written and directed by Shelley Niro)
Based on the Kenneth T. Williams play of the same name and inspired by true events, CAFÉ DAUGHTER is a coming-of-age story about a young Chinese-Cree girl in Saskatchewan who begins to embrace her Cree identity after a family tragedy.
NOW AVAILABLE ON CBC LISTEN, CBC GEM AND CBC.CA
- Throughout the month of June, CBC Indigenous presents cross-platform project F I R S T., highlighting the accomplishments of First Nations, Inuit and Métis trailblazers in law, medicine, science, sports – and beyond. Featured stories include Shirley Williams, the first Indigenous woman in Canada to reach full professor status via traditional knowledge, and Shaaw Tláa, a Tlingit woman who had a pivotal role in starting the Klondike Gold Rush. CBC Indigenous is publishing 12 stories throughout the month on cbc.ca/indigenous and across CBC platforms.
- CBC Gem’s INDIGENOUS STORIES COLLECTION features a variety of series, documentaries and feature films, including the Canadian premiere of documentary WATERMAN – DUKE: AMBASSADOR OF ALOHA, the inspiring story of five-time Olympic medalist Duke Kahanamoku, narrated by Jason Momoa; lifestyle series BEARS’ LAIR, offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to aspiring Indigenous business owners; and feature A STORM BLOWS OVER following a young woman on a mysterious journey after the disappearance of her boyfriend, plus three short documentaries made through the NSI IndigiDocs training program: ATHEGUS, LIVING WEAVING and pî-kiwîk (come home).
- The CBC Gem collection CBC KIDS CELEBRATES CANADA’S INDIGENOUS HERITAGE showcases award-winning programs on CBC Gem, such as ANAANA’S TENT in both English and Inuktitut, TEEPEE TIME in English and Mi’kmaq, and MOLLY OF DENALI, in addition to STUDIO K’s celebrations of Indigenous people and culture across Canada, which can also be found on the CBC Kids YouTube playlist.
- From the rez to the runway, CBC Kids News 16-year-old contributor Sophia Smoke talks to three Indigenous fashion stars leading the way in Indigenous design. Meet the fashionista, Shayla Outlette Stonechild; streetwear designer, Justin Jacob Louis; and designer to the stars, Lesley Hampton as they talk to Sophia about the conversation they want to have through the clothes we wear.
- CBC Podcasts offers a wide variety of Indigenous-themed podcasts everywhere podcasts are available, including two new episodes of SECRET LIFE OF CANADA: “The Royal Proclamation,” about the history of the document that’s often referred to as the Indigenous Magna Carta, and beginning Thursday, June 20, the special episode “Treaty 6,” a deep dive into the story behind one of the 11 numbered treaties signed by the Canadian Crown and First Nations between 1871 and 1921. Also available now is THE URBARIGINAL, which follows host Rudy Kelly, Tsimshian author and entertainer, on a deeply personal journey to reconcile the legend of his father, a powerful chief, with the man he knew — who drove him away from his community and culture. The series goes beyond Rudy’s own experiences, to show how colonization affected Indigenous people, by hearing from those who lived it.
- In addition to supporting CBC Indigenous content throughout the month, the @CBC Instagram and TikTok accounts are sharing original commissioned videos from Indigenous comedians highlighting humour as a form of joy and resilience, with a focus on celebration, unity, and community for National Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
- CBC Books recommends 29 must-read books for children and teens by Indigenous writers, curated by Phyllis Webstad, the creator of Orange Shirt Day and author of several bestselling books: “I chose books that bring about conversation of what happened to us as Indigenous People and ones that bring hope for a better future.”
- Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, UNRESERVED (New episodes available every Friday everywhere podcasts are available, and airing Sundays at 2 p.m. (2:30 NT) and Tuesdays at 1 p.m. (1:30 NT) on CBC Radio and CBC Listen) is a fearless space for Indigenous voices — our cousins, our aunties, our elders, our heroes. On Canada’s only national radio program dedicated to Indigenous voices, host Rosanna Deerchild guides us on the path to better understand our shared story. Together, we learn and unlearn, laugh and become gentler in all our relations. The beloved program has a deep and rich catalogue of vibrant stories and special episodes, available wherever you get your podcasts, including the recent series “Unmapped,” which unearths the pre-colonial histories of several major tourist attractions, from New York to Niagara Falls.
- Available to stream on CBC Gem, MAAMUITAAU is a weekly Cree language current affairs program, with English subtitles, bringing the stories of the James Bay Crees to life. In English, MAAMUITAAU means “let’s get together,” which reflects the spirit of the show. The ongoing series from CBC North Quebec Cree Media Unit covers a broad range of topics including social and political issues, environmental conflict, and traditional subjects such as hunting and crafts. Observational, engaging, and at times poetic, the show transports you to Quebec’s North and to the heart of Cree culture.
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CBC Indigenous elevates First Nations, Métis and Inuit perspectives and experiences through informed and innovative storytelling, with journalism rooted in the heart of communities, shedding light on the realities, complexities and diversity of Indigenous life in Canada. CBC North Quebec Cree Media Unit includes the award-winning East Cree-language radio shows Winschgaoug and Eyou Dipajimoon, which broadcast daily Monday to Friday on CBC Radio and CBC Listen. CBC North further broadens Canadians’ understanding of Indigenous experiences across the country with content available in six Indigenous languages.
CBC’s Indigenous Pathways to Journalism Development Program is a full-time, nine-month paid learning and development opportunity for First Nations, Inuit and Métis candidates who want to develop practical skills as a storyteller in a CBC newsroom. Indigenous Pathways provides journalism training, career development support, and work experience. Applications open soon — more information will be available here.
The CBC-APTN Early Stage Scripted Development Program for Indigenous Creators in association with the ISO is returning for a third year to support up to three emerging Indigenous television creators with projects still in the pre-development phase. Selected participants will work closely with CBC and APTN executives and receive custom-tailored support for their projects with the aim of progressing them to the next stage of development, and ultimately into the production phase. Applications are open now and the deadline to apply is Wednesday, July 10.
Since 2014, CJF-CBC Indigenous Journalism Fellowships have been offered annually to three early-career Indigenous journalists to explore an issue of interest, while being hosted for one month at the CBC News Indigenous Unit in Winnipeg. The award aims to foster better comprehension of Indigenous issues in Canada’s major media and community outlets. The next call for applications opens early next year.