Happy National Indigenous Peoples Day!
The Government of Canada writes, "this is a day for all Canadians to recognize and celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. Although these groups share many similarities, they each have their own distinct heritage, language, cultural practices and spiritual beliefs. In cooperation with Indigenous organizations, the Government of Canada chose June 21, the summer solstice, for National Aboriginal Day, now known as National Indigenous Peoples Day."
Why June 21st, Summer Solstice? For many Indigenous groups, summer solstice is an important day of celebration and ceremony. Peter Bellegarde, the National Chief of The Assembly of First Nations, writes for the Toronto Star, "across the land, First Nations will gather and share in ceremonies and traditions that have been carried out for thousands of years. We gather to celebrate and to thank Mother Earth for her gifts. And we gather to celebrate our languages, cultures and ceremonies, which have persevered and prevailed despite decades of concerted effort to eradicate them."
Today there are more than 1.6 million indigenous Canadians living across the country, across over 630 First Nation communities, which represent more than 50 Nations and 50 Indigenous languages.
The point of National Indigenous Peoples Day is to take time celebrate and honour our indigenous communities, to learn about the history of this land we call home, and to further the work of reconciliation. If you're looking for a way to get involved, To-Do Canada has a great resource guide up for Calgarians that outlines ceremonies taking place, businesses you can support, special showcases and events happening around the city, and more. You can read it in full by clicking here.
Have a great day!
(Image created via Canva)
Posted by Ken Richter on
Leave A Comment