Events are being held across the country Saturday to mark Indigenous Peoples Day
First Nations dancers dressed in regalia participate in the grand entry on the final day of the 32nd annual Squamish Nation Youth Powwow, in West Vancouver, B.C., on July 14, 2019. DARRYL DYCK / THE CANADIAN PRESS flag wire: true flag sponsored: false article_type: pubinfo.section: cms.site.custom.site_domain : thestar.com sWebsitePrimaryPublication : publications/toronto_star bHasMigratedAvatar : false firstAuthor.avatar :
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Globe and Mail
2 hours ago
- Globe and Mail
Indigenous Peoples Day marked across Canada with hundreds of events
Hundreds of events are planned across the country Saturday to mark Indigenous Peoples Day. First observed in 1996, Indigenous Peoples Day is meant to recognize First Nations, Inuit and Métis cultures and traditions. Prime Minister Mark Carney will take part in a closed event to mark the day. The office of Gov. Gen. Mary Simon said she will host youth at Rideau Hall in Ottawa to mark the day by crafting paper hearts with 'messages of reconciliation, hope and commitment.' The Governor General will plant 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. Opinion: Reconciliation is not a return to the past – it's creating something new together This year's Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival takes place Saturday and Sunday at Wesley Clover Parks in Ottawa. The festival features a competition powwow, traditional foods and teaching sessions. Starting Saturday, the Forks in Winnipeg will host Many Nations, One Heartbeat, an 11-day festival of Indigenous performances, games, fashion and crafts. 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.' And in Toronto, the Na-Me-Res Traditional Powwow and Indigenous Arts Festival will take place Saturday at the Fort York National Historic Site, featuring traditional dances, live concerts and a food market.
Toronto Star
3 hours ago
- Toronto Star
Events are being held across the country Saturday to mark Indigenous Peoples Day
First Nations dancers dressed in regalia participate in the grand entry on the final day of the 32nd annual Squamish Nation Youth Powwow, in West Vancouver, B.C., on July 14, 2019. DARRYL DYCK / THE CANADIAN PRESS flag wire: true flag sponsored: false article_type: : sWebsitePrimaryPublication : publications/toronto_star bHasMigratedAvatar : false :
CBC
4 hours ago
- CBC
New children's book explores history of Canada's potlatch ban
Growing up, Samantha Beynon struggled with reading and writing. She overcame those challenges, later earning a university degree and becoming a teacher. It was while spending time in the classroom she noticed a lack of curriculum for children to learn about Indigenous traditions, culture and history. Now a Nisga'a educator and author, Beynon is trying to fill that gap, and has just released a new children's book, Celebrating Potlatches, all about the important ceremonies that were banned by the Canadian government for over 65 years. Potlatches are specific to Indigenous communities on the west coast, where nations gather in song, dance and prayer to commemorate significant life events, such as a birth or marriage. "Potlatches are about generosity and leadership," Beynon told CBC's Daybreak North. "It's a time to share food, stories, songs, dances and gifts. It's how we honour our guests, show respect and how we keep our traditions strong." The ban on potlatches was legislated under an 1884 amendment to the 1876 Indian Act by the Canadian government, which came into effect in 1885, according to the Canadian Encyclopedia. The legislation made it a criminal offence for anyone to participate in a potlatch — and if they were caught doing so, they ran the risk of being arrested. The potlatch ban was reversed when the Indian Act was revised in 1951. Beynon said despite the ban, First Nations in B.C. kept the tradition alive, hosting potlatch ceremonies in secret. The picture book is made for young children, aiming to make a heavy topic easier to digest, said Beynon. "I believe in the power of stories and I'm excited to keep sharing them with the next generation," she said. The book is inspired by Beynon's late great-grandfather, William Beynon, who was a Ts'msyen and Nisga'a hereditary chief and oral historian. Beynon said her great-grandfather helped preserve the culture of the Ts'msyen and Nisga'a peoples by working with elders and researchers to compile over 3,000 pages of stories, documenting the languages and traditional ceremonies. "His work helped protect our culture during a time when it was under attack. Today his records still guide language revitalization, treaty work and cultural education." Beynon said that as Indigenous people continue to reclaim their culture, potlatches can only grow stronger. "Our future generations are going to be extremely proud."
