Hundreds of events were planned across the country on Saturday to mark National Indigenous Peoples Day, recognizing First Nations, Inuit and Métis cultures and traditions.
Prime Minister Mark Carney will take part in a closed event to mark the day, which was first observed in 1996.
“Supporting Indigenous communities, advancing self-determination, implementing treaties and creating generational wealth and prosperity are central to our commitment to advancing reconciliation,” Carney said in a statement.
“The government will work in full partnership with Indigenous Peoples — advancing shared priorities such as health care, food security, housing, education, economic prosperity, conservation, climate action and emergency management to build a better future.”
The office of Gov. Gen. Mary Simon hosted youth at Rideau Hall in Ottawa to mark the day by crafting paper hearts with “messages of reconciliation, hope and commitment.”
The Governor General then planted the hearts in Rideau Hall’s “heart garden,” which honours Indigenous people who died in residential schools, along with survivors.
“Each heart is a symbol of our collective responsibility to listen to and carry forward their stories — of pain and disappointment, strength and courage — and to commit to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Calls to Action,” Simon’s office said.
Sunrise ceremonies, which include prayers, greetings to the sun and giving thanks to the Earth, have been held Saturday in multiple locations across the country.
North
The North Slave Métis Alliance hosted its annual fish fry and stage show at Somba K’e Civic Plaza in Yellowknife. Volunteers served up white fish from Great Slave Lake alongside bannock, beans, corn and dessert, while a variety of different performers took to the waterfront amphitheatre.
There was also a full schedule of events to mark the day at the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre in Whitehorse, including the Daghaalhaan K’e Dancers, a jigging contest and a bannock bake-off.
Ontario
In Toronto, Mayor Olivia Chow appeared at Nathan Phillips Square to participate in a sunrise ceremony. Elsewhere in the city, the Na-Me-Res Traditional Powwow and Indigenous Arts Festival will take place at the Fort York National Historic Site, featuring traditional dances, live concerts and a food market.
In Ottawa, the Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival, taking place Saturday and Sunday, features a competition powwow, traditional foods and teaching sessions.
Newfoundland and Labrador
Drumming, singing and sage filled Bannerman Park in St. John’s for the First Light’s Sunrise Ceremony. Attendees also participated in a smudging ceremony and shared blessed water and berries.
“We’re very fortunate to be one of the first in Turtle Island to greet the sun. And so that’s a big responsibility for us to do that in a good way,” said Kelly Young, a spokesperson for First Light, a St. John’s non-profit that offers services to the Indigenous community and works on preserving Indigenous culture.
Nova Scotia
About 40 people gathered at the break of dawn along the Atlantic coast near Louisbourg, N.S., for a Mi’kmaw sunrise ceremony.
The ceremony was led by residential school survivor and Eskasoni First Nation Elder Lottie Johnson, who said it’s meant for all people to share.
“It’s a very special time. It’s quiet and as the sun comes up, you see the creation of [the] creator. Everything is so beautiful and it’s like almost-new again. That’s where you get the hope and the will to go on.”
About 40 people gathered at the break of dawn Saturday near Louisbourg, N.S., for a Mi’kmaw sunrise ceremony led by Eskasoni First Nation Elder Lottie Johnson. The CBC’s Anna Rak has the story.
Manitoba
Starting Saturday, the Forks in Winnipeg will host Many Nations, One Heartbeat, an 11-day festival of Indigenous performances, games, fashion and crafts, one of many events across the province.
Organizers say the festival will honour “the stories, strength and resilience of Indigenous communities, especially in this moment of significant displacement due to Manitoba’s wildfire.”
Quebec
Events in Montreal include a barbecue, summer market and tobacco ceremony, as well as traditional drums and dance.
“[It’s] super important because people have to see each other outside of just tackling life challenges and trying to build services or do things like that. We need to just hang out, have some fun and relax,” said Philippe Tsaronséré Meilleur, Native Montreal’s executive director.
Saskatchewan
Events in Saskatchewan began on Friday, with the City of Regina hosting hundreds of people at a celebratory event in Victoria Park, while thousands in Saskatoon marched in the Rock Your Roots Walk for Reconciliation procession, which honoured residential school victims and survivors.
On Saturday, Wanuskewin Heritage Park outside Saskatoon hosted a day-long event with dancing, traditional games and singing.
Prince Edward Island
Turnout was high as Islanders gathered for music, dance and food at the Charlottetown waterfront.
The drum group, Lone Cry Singers, sang traditional songs for attendees, while vendors sold traditional food, art and crafts.
“Today’s the day we come together to celebrate and honour what Indigenous peoples have done throughout all of Canadian history,” said Bradley Cooper, political adviser for the Native Council of P.E.I.
British Columbia
In Vancouver, the occasion was marked with two events, including the blessing of a six-metre house post by Tsleil-Waututh artist Zac George now installed outside the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in the city’s downtown.
Later in the day, parts of the city’s Downtown Eastside neighbourhood were closed to vehicle traffic, and Vancouver held its third annual block party celebrating the occasion.
East Hasting Street — typically filled with cars — was instead bookended with a large teepee and a performance stage, while crowds of festival-goers greeted each other and frequented vendors’ stands featuring Indigenous artwork.
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