Toronto celebrates National Indigenous People's Day with sunrise ceremony, powwow
National Indigenous Peoples Day was celebrated in Toronto Saturday with music, dance and a sunrise ceremony outside city hall amid pushback from some First Nations leaders over provincial laws that some say bypass consultation with their communities.
The holiday, first observed in 1996, is a day of recognition and celebration of the cultures and contributions of the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Indigenous peoples of Canada.
Hundreds of events are taking place around the country Saturday, and in Toronto, festivities began with a sunrise ceremony outside city hall, with Mayor Olivia Chow in attendance.
Grandmother Kim Wheatley of Curve Lake First Nation led the proceedings, which included prayers, greetings to the sun and giving thanks to the Earth.
"As we walk the road of reconciliation, Canadians need to know we're still here and we have something beautiful to offer and beautiful to share," she said at the ceremony.
Celebrations are continuing all day at the Na-Me-Res Powwow celebration at Fort York, which is in part sponsored by CBC.
The event began on Friday and is hosted by Na-Me-Res, a residence for homeless Indigenous men in Toronto. Hundreds were in attendance Saturday to take in traditional music and dance on the grassy field.
One of the dancers, Jay Lomax, said the celebrations are in part a way of healing, and connecting.
"I'm here because I'm one of the Sixties Scoop survivors and I was raised out here in Toronto. And I've been dancing since I got reconnected with the culture in my 20s, doing ceremonies, connecting through the land, connecting with our people, and that's what today is really all about."
Along with music and dance, the powwow includes the Indigenous Arts Festival, where culture is celebrated through crafts and cuisine.
Celebrations are going all day, with the powwow at Fort York continuing well into the evening.
Strained relations between province, First Nations
The celebrations come as First Nations communities push back against new provincial mining legislation that many say goes against the government's duty to consult Indigenous peoples.
This week, Premier Doug Ford apologized for comments he made, saying he has treated First Nations "like gold" but they "keep coming hat in hand."
WATCH | Ford's apology to First Nations chiefs:
Ford apologizes to First Nations chiefs after comments slammed as 'racist'
1 day ago
Duration 2:28
Ontario Regional Chief Abram Benedict of the Chiefs of Ontario, which advocates for all 133 First Nations in the province, told CBC News Network Saturday that the comments were hurtful.
"What we've been very clear with is that the rights holders need to be at the table talking with the government about these bills, about a pathway forward," he said. "[Ford has] acknowledged that, and I'm hoping that our leadership can accept that apology, and look to a pathway forward with the premier."
Speaking about National Indigenous Peoples Day on the 10th anniversary of the publication of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's final report, he said the holiday was in part a chance to reflect on what's been done since the commission released its 94 calls to action.
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