By Carlos Haag, FSWC Educator

June marks National Indigenous History Month, a time to honour the strength, survival and cultural heritage of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples in Canada. This year, it also coincides with Shavuot, the Jewish holiday commemorating the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. Shavuot is a time for reflection, learning and community — values that resonate deeply with Indigenous traditions of oral storytelling and ancestral wisdom. Additionally, both observances emphasize the profound connection between people and the land, resilience despite persecution, and the ongoing struggle for identity and self-determination.

When Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation spoke in support of Israel in 2024, his words resonated with historical significance: “Your struggle is our struggle.” Indigenous Canadians and Jewish people share parallel histories of forced displacement, cultural suppression and systematic attempts to erase their identities. Nonetheless, both communities have shown remarkable resilience in reclaiming their traditions, histories and rights.

For Holocaust survivor Robbie Waisman, these words resonate deeply. Taken as a child to Buchenwald, one of the Nazi regime’s most notorious concentration camps, Waisman emerged from the Holocaust with a commitment to ensuring that no group suffers in silence. In recent years, he has worked closely with Indigenous leaders in Canada, recognizing the shared trauma between Holocaust survivors and residential school survivors. He often speaks about the importance of healing, education and solidarity — critical values in the fight against hatred today.

Both Fiddler and Waisman remind us that history encompasses the past and the effort to build a future in which no community endures oppression alone. Their voices provide educators with a unique opportunity to teach about historical trauma, reconciliation and the resilience found in diverse cultures.

Additional resources:

Alvin Fiddler’s message of solidarity with Israel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alYhrhE9ljc

Robbie Waisman’s work with Indigenous communities: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jrqg0SGOUDg (starts at 6:32).