Healthy Kids Brantford celebrates National Indigenous History Month

Healthy Kids Brantford celebrates National Indigenous History Month with free Indigenous-led programs

BRANTFORD, ON – Healthy Kids Brantford, in partnership with Six Nations of the Grand River Indigenous Led Early Years and Onkwehonwe Games are pleased to offer free Indigenous-led programs for children and youth in honour of National Indigenous History Month during the month of June.

Onkwehonwe Games

Students ages 4 to 12 are encouraged to play and experience traditional games while learning about Canada’s National summer sport, Lacrosse, through the lens of the Haudenosaunee where this game has been played from the time of creation. This program includes basic history with a focus on Lacrosse and other traditional games. Onkwehonwe Games will be offered Wednesday, June 1 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Doug Snooks Eagle Place Community Centre and Thursday, June 2 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Woodman Park Community Centre-Camp Room. Pre-registration is required.

Learn 2 Lacrosse with Onkwehonwe Games

Learn about Canada's National summer sport through the lens of the Haudenosaunee. Participants will practice basic development drills while learning the true history of the game. Available Wednesday, June 8, Wednesday, June 15, and Wednesday, June 22 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. outdoors (weather permitting) at Woodman Park Community Centre for ages 9 to 14. Pre-registration is required.

Gastowas Craft Kits

To celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day on Tuesday, June 21, 2022, children up to 14 years of age are invited to make their own Gawstowa (traditional Indigenous headdress) and learn the history behind each Nation by picking up a free take home kit. Registration is required by calling 519-445-2565. Please note that the kits are available while supplies last. They must be picked up on June 20, 2022 between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. at Woodman Community Centre, located at 491 Grey St. Brantford.

To learn more and to register for the Indigenous-led activities, visit Brantford.ca/CelebrateCulture/ to explore the Healthy Kids calendar of events.

About Healthy Kids

Since 2015, the Passport to Health program has proven to be an effective way to successfully connect kids to discover new activities they may not have otherwise tried. The Healthy Kids program continues to demonstrate significant success in changing the culture of children’s health within the community through innovative projects, partnerships and awareness campaigns. Parents whose children have participated in the Healthy Kids program reported improvements in their child’s motivation to participate in physical activity, eat healthy foods, and drink more water.

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Media Contacts:

Kelly Page | Communications Specialist, Communications and Community Engagement
City of Brantford | 519-759-4150 ext. 5779 | kpage@brantford.ca

Heather Carvalho | Manager, Communications and Community Engagement
City of Brantford | 226-388-3898 | hcarvalho@brantford.ca