Hundreds of events are planned throughout the country on Saturday to commemorate the National Day of Indigenous Peoples, recognizing the cultures and traditions of the first nations, Inuit and Métis.
Prime Minister Mark Carney will participate in a closed event to mark the day, which was first observed in 1996.
The Office of Governor General Mary Simon said he will organize young people in Rideau Hall in Ottawa to mark the day creating paper hearts with “messages of reconciliation, hope and commitment.”
The general governor will plant hearts in the “cardiac garden” of Rideau Hall, which honors indigenous peoples who died in residential schools, along with the survivors.
“Each heart is a symbol of our collective responsibility to listen and carry out their stories, of pain and disappointment, strength and courage, and commit to the commission of truth and the reconciliation of Canada to action,” Simon’s office said.
Events worldwide
A dawn ceremony in St. John’s began the events of the day. The ceremony included prayers, greetings to the sun and thanking the earth. Attendees also participated in a spots ceremony and shared water and blessed berries.
“We are very lucky to be one of the first in Turtle Island in greeting the Sun. And that is a great responsibility for us to do that in good sense,” said Kelly Young, spokesman for First Light, a local non -profit organization that offers services to the indigenous community and works to preserve the indigenous culture.
Festivals, markets and more will occur in communities throughout the country.
Montreal events include a barbecue, a summer market and a live comedy, while in Ottawa, the Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival, which will take place on Saturday and Sunday, presents a competition Powwow, traditional meals and teaching sessions.
The traditional Powwow and indigenous arts festival of NA-Me-res will take place on Saturday at the Toronto National Historic Site, with traditional dances, live concerts and a food market.
As of Saturday, forks in Winnipeg will organize many nations, One Heartbeat, an 11 -day festival of indigenous performances, games, fashion and crafts, one of the many events in Manitoba.
The organizers say that the festival will honor “the stories, strength and resistance of indigenous communities, especially in this moment of significant displacement due to the forest fire of Manitoba.”
