Niagara’s unique Indigenous history part brings special panel to Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum

With June being Pride Month, as well as Seniors Month, some forget that it’s also National Indigenous History Month.

However, don’t count Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum among the forgetful.

On June 8 at 7 pm, the museum will host Beyond the Mist, a panel discussion to provide a deep and unparalleled exploration of Niagara’s unique Indigenous history.

In partnership with Niagara Parks, the program’s panelists will touch upon the manifestations of Indigenous history from the earliest days when Indigenous eyes first witnessed the cresting of Niagara Falls some 12,500 years ago, through to issues of contemporary relevance.

Tim Johnson, a board member of the Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum and senior advisor to the Niagara Parks Commission, will host the evening that will see Rick Hill, a renowned speaker from the Tuscarora Nation, Ron Dale, a long-time historian with the National Historic Park system, Indigenous advocate Karl Dockstader from the Oneida Bear Clan and Jim Hill, who developed the Native interpretive program at Old Fort Erie, all acting as panelists.

Rick Hill’s work has been so influential, it has shaped the programming of many influential institutions including Deyohahá:ge: the Indigenous Knowledge Centre, Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of the American Indian, the Institute of American Indian Arts Museum, and McMaster University.

Dale is considered an expert on the Seneca Nation from 1754 to 1783 while Dockstader co-hosts the hit radio program One Dish, One Mic.

Jim Hill has worked for Parks Canada, the Friends of Fort George, and, since 1996, the Niagara Parks Commission and is currently the Superintendent of Heritage and Legacy for Niagara Parks and recently retired from the Reserve Army as a Captain with the Royal Canadian Artillery.

Ticket ($17.31) for this eye-opening night of Indigenous history are available HERE.