On June 21, National Aboriginal Day (NAD), Toronto Public Library will host a day of programming in the Bram & Bluma Appel Salon at the Toronto Reference Library focusing on First Nations history and culture, culminating in a panel discussion on Canada’s missing and murdered Aboriginal women.

No More Silence, a panel hosted by the CBC’s Michael Enright, will feature Deputy Minister of Aboriginal Affairs Deborah Richardson, Audrey Huntley of Aboriginal Legal Services of Toronto and journalist, writer, and artist Angela Sterrit.

The stage for the day will be set at 2 pm with a traditional round dance led by the Smoke Trail Singers and Toronto Public Library’s Aboriginal writer in residence Cherie Dimaline. At 3 pm, authors Marilyn Dumont (A Really Good Brown Girl) and Lee Maracle (Celia’s Song) explore the societal boundaries and loss of tradition that continues to plague First Nations communities. The panel, to be taped for broadcast on CBC’s Sunday Edition, will follow at 4 pm.

One ticket admits one to all three events. Tickets are free and available online at staring May 24.

Additionally, throughout the month of June the library will celebrate First Nations culture and heritage with a series of informative and fun programs, from traditional round dances to Indigenous films, storytelling, author visits, and programs centred on traditional art, dance and medicine.

Award-winning playwright and author Drew Hayden Taylor leads a ...