Virtual Author Talk with Lynda Gray: Explore Indigenous Perspectives

Date: Wednesday, June 11, 2025
Time: 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM Pacific Time (PST)
Format: Virtual online event (via webinar platform)
Hosted by: Vancouver Island Regional Library (VIRL)
Occasion: In honour of National Indigenous Peoples Day (Canada, June 21)
According to VIRL’s announcements, this free online talk will feature Ts’msyen author Lynda Gray discussing the second edition of her book First Nations 101: Tons of Stuff You Need to Know. Registration is required through the library website (see below). Note that the session is live only – it will not be recorded, so attendees should join on the day to participate.

Participants can expect an engaging talk about Indigenous rights, history and culture, grounded in Gray’s experiences and her First Nations 101 book. She will cover a broad range of topics – from traditional practices and community structures to contemporary challenges and social justice. Specifically, the expanded second edition adds new chapters on traditional Indigenous practices and societal structures, holistic health and wellness, the impact of the Indian Act and residential schools, colonial history and its lasting effects, and current social justice and youth issues.
The session will be interactive. After Gray’s presentation, there will be a live Q&A where attendees can ask questions about Indigenous culture and history. As VIRL notes, with a focus on education, engagement, and understanding, Gray’s talk “will provide essential insights into the Indigenous experience and the ongoing work for cultural and societal healing”. In short, expect a frank, informative discussion that bridges past and present, helping listeners learn how historical policies and modern efforts shape Indigenous communities today. This session will appeal to anyone interested in First Nations issues – from students and educators to travellers who want to better understand Vancouver Island’s heritage.

This talk is timed as part of the lead-up to National Indigenous Peoples Day. On June 21 each year, Canadians “recognize and celebrate the history, heritage, resilience and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis across Canada”. Gray’s event brings that spirit early to Vancouver Island. For culturally curious travellers, this is a chance to hear from a local Indigenous perspective before visiting the region’s many Indigenous heritage sites, galleries, and communities. Understanding Indigenous stories enriches any trip: it turns a simple forest trail or art gallery visit into an encounter with living culture and memory.
For example, many Vancouver Island itineraries include totem pole parks, art tours in places like Alert Bay or Ucluelet, and museum exhibits. Hearing Gray discuss Ts’msyen history and culture adds depth – visitors gain context about symbols they’ll see and the people who created them. As one tourism guide notes, Indigenous cultural experiences on the Island are about more than sightseeing; they offer a chance to engage with the original stewards of the land. By joining this talk, travellers can take an important step toward that engagement. It’s an opportunity to learn directly from an Indigenous elder and educator, helping to foster respect and understanding before even setting foot on the Island.