Joan Holmes & Associates

Joan Holmes & Associates We are a leader in the historical research consulting field. Established in 1983.

We provide superior research, analysis and document management services on land claims, Indigenous rights and a variety of litigation issues.

The Tŝilhqot’in Radio app, a project of the Tŝilhqot’in National Government (TNG), offers community podcasts, music, and...
06/18/2026

The Tŝilhqot’in Radio app, a project of the Tŝilhqot’in National Government (TNG), offers community podcasts, music, and culture programming in the Tŝilhqot’in language. To learn more, click the links below:

L’application Tŝilhqot’in Radio, un projet du Gouvernement national Tŝilhqot’in (GNT), propose des balados communautaires, de la musique et des programmes culturels en langue Tŝilhqot’in. Pour en savoir plus, cliquez sur les liens ci-dessous :

https://tsilhqotinradio.ca/

https://tsilhqotin.ca/radio/

See: Dionne Phillips, "New Tŝilhqot’in Radio app brings community voices to listeners everywhere," IndigiNews, June 9, 2026.

📸: macrovector/magnific.com

The first three towers at Vancouver’s Indigenous-led urban development, Sen̓áḵw, are complete. At full completion, Sen̓á...
06/16/2026

The first three towers at Vancouver’s Indigenous-led urban development, Sen̓áḵw, are complete. At full completion, Sen̓áḵw will include 6,000 rental homes as well as units for commercial, office, retail and community purposes. In addition to an approach rooted in sustainability, with a goal of net-zero operational carbon performance, and affordability with 280 affordable units in the first three towers, the project is also an expression of culture, history, and values. According to Revery Architecture's Venelin Kokalov: "The goal was to translate Indigenous values and Coast Salish design language into a contemporary urban architectural expression.”

Les trois premières tours du projet d'aménagement urbain Sen̓áḵw, mené par les Autochtones de Vancouver, sont terminées. Une fois achevé, Sen̓áḵw comprendra 6 000 logements locatifs ainsi que des espaces commerciaux, de bureaux, de vente au détail et communautaires. Outre une approche axée sur le développement durable, avec un objectif de carboneutralité opérationnelle, et l'accessibilité financière grâce à 280 logements abordables dans les trois premières tours, le projet est aussi l'expression d'une culture, d'une histoire et de valeurs autochtones. Selon Venelin Kokalov, de Revery Architecture : « L'objectif était de traduire les valeurs autochtones et le langage architectural des Salish de la côte en une expression architecturale urbaine contemporaine. »

See: Santana Dreaver, "Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Nation opens first tower in ‘Vancouver’ village site, Sen̓áḵw," IndigiNews, June 1, 2026.

Rebecca Keillor, "Sen̓áḵw, Vancouver’s Indigenous-led urban mega build, emerges from the site’s geography and history," The Architect's Newspaper, June 10, 2026.

Alex Mayyasi, "The Squamish Nation’s Impossibly Simple Solution to Vancouver’s Housing Crisis," The Walrus, April 8, 2026.

📸: David Kvocak

For those in the National Capital Region looking for ways to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21, consi...
06/11/2026

For those in the National Capital Region looking for ways to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21, consider attending the Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival at Wesley Clover Parks from June 21-22, 2026 . The festival is free and offers visitors performances, workshops, arts, crafts, music, dance, and culinary experiences. The festival is produced by Indigenous Experiences and Mādahòkì Farm on behalf of the National Indigenous Peoples Day Committee (NIPD) and hosted by the National Association of Friendship Centres.

Pour les habitants de la région de la capitale nationale qui souhaitent célébrer la Journée nationale des peuples autochtones le 21 juin, le Festival autochtone du solstice d'été, qui se tiendra au parc Wesley Clover les 21 et 22 juin 2026, est un événement à ne pas manquer. L'entrée est gratuite et le festival propose des spectacles, des ateliers, de l'artisanat, de la musique, de la danse et des expériences culinaires. Il est organisé par Indigenous Experiences et la ferme Mādahòkì pour le compte du Comité national de la Journée des peuples autochtones (CNJA) et accueilli par l'Association nationale des centres d'amitié.

https://ottawatourism.ca/en/event-calendar/ottawa-summer-solstice-indigenous-festival

During a visit to Âsowanânihk Ancient Indigenous Site with classmates from Beardy's and Okemasis Cree Nation, 11-year-ol...
06/09/2026

During a visit to Âsowanânihk Ancient Indigenous Site with classmates from Beardy's and Okemasis Cree Nation, 11-year-old Piper Baldhead discovered an intact projectile point: the first found at the site. According to historian Dave Rondeau who works at the site:
"They were recovering artifacts and faunal remains that I had missed, that we had all missed...They have sharp eyes and are so inquisitive because it's their history."

Lors d'une visite au site autochtone ancien d'Âsowanânihk avec des camarades de classe de la Première Nation crie de Beardy's et d'Okemasis, Piper Baldhead, âgée de 11 ans, a découvert une pointe de projectile intacte : la première trouvée sur le site. Selon l'historien Dave Rondeau, qui travaille sur le site :

« Ils récupéraient des artefacts et des restes d'animaux que j'avais manqués, que nous avions tous manqués… Ils ont l'œil vif et sont très curieux parce qu'il s'agit de leur histoire. »

See: Darla Ponace, "Ancient Indigenous archaeological site offers students a glimpse at early human life in Sask.," CBC News, June 6, 2026.

Click the link below to learn more about the site:
https://artsandscience.usask.ca/news/articles/10480/11_000_year_old_Indigenous_village_uncovered_near_Sturgeon_L

📸: University of Saskatchewan College of Arts and Science

06/08/2026

Our Project Naming initiative helps identify Indigenous individuals in photographs from the national collection. Many of these images were taken without recording the people’s names, and Project Naming aims to restore their identities, enriching the collections with accurate information.

This National Indigenous History Month, our third edition of Finding Kin, highlighting the community of Igluligaarjuk (Chesterfield Inlet), runs June 8–29.

You can help by sharing these posts with anyone who may have knowledge of people living in this area.

Follow our Project Naming Facebook account for more information and contribute to this project!


GCReconciliation

Students at Dene immersion school in Clearwater River Dene Nation  are learning traditional snare fishing techniques as ...
06/04/2026

Students at Dene immersion school in Clearwater River Dene Nation are learning traditional snare fishing techniques as part of a land-based learning program. According to one of the program instructors Elder Doreen Moise:

"It's like teaching my own children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren... I don't get anything out of it, but I just want to pass on what I have learned, and what the kids can keep doing for the new generations."

À l'école d'immersion dénée de la Première Nation de Clearwater River, les élèves apprennent les techniques traditionnelles de pêche au collet dans le cadre d'un programme d'apprentissage en milieu naturel. Selon Doreen Moise, aînée et l'une des instructrices du programme :

« C'est comme si j'enseignais à mes propres enfants, petits-enfants et arrière-petits-enfants… Je n'en retire rien personnellement, mais je souhaite simplement transmettre ce que j'ai appris et ce que les enfants pourront perpétuer pour les générations futures. »

See: Darla Ponace, "Snare fishing 101: Students learn traditional ways at Clearwater River Dene Nation," May 22, 2026, CBC News.

📸: Canada. Dept. of Interior / Library and Archives Canada / PA-044492

June is National Indigenous History Month: a month for learning, reflection, and recognition of the history, experiences...
06/02/2026

June is National Indigenous History Month: a month for learning, reflection, and recognition of the history, experiences, cultures, and traditions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples. There are many ways to get involved. Click the links below to access learning resources, the Edmonton Public Library's National Indigenous History Month book list, a selection of films by the National Film Board of Canada, and an Indigenous music playlist. Also, consider attending a local event! If you live in the National Capital Region, take a look at the National Arts Centre's National Indigenous History Month schedule in the links below.

Juin est le Mois national de l’histoire autochtone : un mois consacré à l’apprentissage, à la réflexion et à la reconnaissance de l’histoire, des expériences, des cultures et des traditions des Premières Nations, des Inuits et des Métis. De nombreuses façons de participer s’offrent à vous. Cliquez sur les liens ci-dessous pour accéder à des ressources pédagogiques, à la liste de livres de la Bibliothèque publique d’Edmonton pour le Mois national de l’histoire autochtone, à une sélection de films de l’Office national du film du Canada et à une liste de lecture de musique autochtone. Assistez à un événement près de chez vous ! Si vous habitez dans la région de la capitale nationale, consultez la programmation du Centre national des Arts pour le Mois de l’histoire autochtone en cliquant sur les liens ci-dessous.

https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1683124800202/1683124846095

https://tvo.me/indigenous-history/

https://epl.bibliocommons.com/v2/list/display/1077576827/2757254346

https://events.nfb.ca/program/nfb-libraries/indigenous-filmmaker/

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6auaeyb8nkpRdYdJ9UFxcO

https://nac-cna.ca/en/series/national-indigenous-history-month

📸: Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada

A new national marine conservation reserve named Mia-yaltwa Ha’lidzogmhoon will be established in the Great Bear Sea and...
05/28/2026

A new national marine conservation reserve named Mia-yaltwa Ha’lidzogmhoon will be established in the Great Bear Sea and will be operated by Parks Canada along with the Wuikinuxv, Nuxalk, Kitasoo Xai’xais, Heiltsuk, Gitxaała and Gitga’at Nations. The area covers 6700 square kilometres and was declared an Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area, giving the six First Nations involved a key role in stewardship, conservation, and governance.

Une nouvelle réserve marine nationale de conservation, nommée Mia-yaltwa Ha’lidzogmhoon, sera créée dans la mer du Grand Ours et gérée par Parcs Canada en collaboration avec les Premières Nations Wuikinuxv, Nuxalk, Kitasoo Xai’xais, Heiltsuk, Gitxaała et Gitga’at. D’une superficie de 6 700 kilomètres carrés, cette aire a été désignée aire protégée et de conservation autochtone, conférant ainsi aux six Premières Nations concernées un rôle essentiel en matière d’intendance, de conservation et de gouvernance.

https://www.canada.ca/en/parks-canada/news/2026/05/mia-yaltwa-halidzogm-hoon-a-collaborative-approach-to-marine-protection-announced-for-the-central-coast-of-british-columbia.html

See, also:
"Vast marine conservation reserve, bigger than P.E.I., to protect B.C. central coast," The Canadian Press, May 22, 2026.

Marissa Birnie, "New protected marine reserve, larger than P.E.I., to be established on B.C.'s Central Coast," CBC News and the Canadian Press, May 22, 2026.

📸: Parks Canada

Ahead of the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, Tsleil-Waututh Nation officially unveiled its new multi-use artificial turf s...
05/26/2026

Ahead of the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, Tsleil-Waututh Nation officially unveiled its new multi-use artificial turf sports ground which was funded by British Columbia using FIFA-provided funds. Tsleil-Waututh, Musqueam, and Squamish Nations signed a 2025 memorandum of understanding with Vancouver and British Columbia allowing the World Cup to be hosted on their traditional territories. Tsleil-Waututh Nation soccer coach Dave Thomas hopes the sports ground will bring the community closer:

"I hope that this pitch helps form bonds, stronger bonds, between other parents and their children, because some of my people, my age group or generation, didn't grow up playing organized sports."

En prévision de la Coupe du Monde de la FIFA 2026, la Première Nation Tsleil-Waututh a inauguré son nouveau terrain multisports en gazon synthétique, financé par la Colombie-Britannique grâce à des fonds de la FIFA. Les Premières Nations Tsleil-Waututh, Musqueam et Squamish ont signé un protocole d'entente en 2025 avec Vancouver et la Colombie-Britannique, autorisant ainsi la tenue de la Coupe du Monde sur leurs territoires traditionnels. Dave Thomas, entraîneur de l'équipe de soccer de la Première Nation Tsleil-Waututh, espère que ce terrain renforcera les liens au sein de la communauté :

« J'espère que ce terrain contribuera à tisser des liens plus étroits entre les parents et leurs enfants, car certains membres de ma communauté, de ma génération, n'ont pas eu la chance de pratiquer un sport organisé durant leur enfance. »

https://twnation.ca/s%c9%99lilw%c9%99ta%c9%ac-tsleil-waututh-nation-celebrates-opening-of-first-sports-field/

See, also: Edzi'u Loverin, "Tsleil-Waututh Nation kicks off new era for athletes with artificial turf," CBC News, May 22, 2026

Chuck Chiang, "B.C., Vancouver, First Nations sign deal to partner in planning FIFA World Cup," The Canadian Press, June 27, 2025

📸:"TWN Sports Field aerial"/ Tsleil-Waututh Nation

Dikes were built throughout the Fraser River for agricultural purposes since the late 19th century adversely impacting m...
05/21/2026

Dikes were built throughout the Fraser River for agricultural purposes since the late 19th century adversely impacting marsh ecosystems and First Nations' cultural connections to the river. Katzie First Nation sought to change that and has implemented a project to re-establish Xwíʔləm̓nəc (Addington Point Marsh) in cooperation with Resilient Waters, Ducks Unlimited Canada, and the Nature Trust of British Columbia. For 3 years, the First Nation and its partners have worked to reestablish waterflow to the marsh. According to Ducks Unlimited restoration biologist Eric Balke:

“You’re restoring the relationship between Xwíʔləm̓nəc and juvenile salmon that previously were prevented from accessing the site … It’s also restoring the relationship between Katzie and their kin.”

Depuis la fin du XIXe siècle, la construction de digues le long du fleuve Fraser à des fins agricoles a nui aux écosystèmes des marais et aux liens culturels des Premières Nations avec le fleuve. La Première Nation Katzie a souhaité remédier à cette situation et a mis en œuvre un projet de restauration du marais Xwíʔləm̓nəc (marais d'Addington Point) en collaboration avec Resilient Waters, Canards Illimités Canada et la Fiducie de la nature de la Colombie-Britannique. Depuis trois ans, la Première Nation et ses partenaires travaillent à rétablir le débit d'eau dans le marais. Selon Eric Balke, biologiste spécialisé dans la restauration chez Canards Illimités :

« Ce projet rétablit le lien entre le marais Xwíʔləm̓nəc et les jeunes saumons qui, auparavant, ne pouvaient y accéder… Il rétablit également le lien entre les membres de la Première Nation Katzie et leurs communautés. »

See: Santana Dreaver, "Katzie First Nation guardians and partners celebrate restoration of important ‘B.C.’ marsh," IndigiNews, May 16, 2026

https://www.naturetrust.bc.ca/news/take-a-walk-in-nature-addington-point-marsh

https://katzie.ca/

📸: wirestock/www.magnific.com

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