City celebrates National Aboriginal Day

Public celebrations such as National Aboriginal Day would not have been possible in our country’s not so distant past.

But those days are over as communities from across Canada came together on Tuesday to mark the 20th anniversary of National Aboriginal Day, with a ceremony held in Thunder Bay at Prince Arthur’s Landing expected to draw at least 1,000 people.

Organizing committee member Joyce Hunter said the milestone, as well as the recent national shift in the relationship with indigenous people, is worth recognizing.

“National Aboriginal Day has really been around educating people about who we are, where we’ve come from, our culture and our heritage. There was a time when our practices and cultures were outlawed and we had to take our ceremonies underground,” she said.

“I think this year is very special in terms of the movement that Canadians and indigenous people have made in advocating for themselves and for their rights as indigenous people. This is a very exciting time to be indigenous.”

The celebrations included a number of food and craft vendors, as well as a powwow which was held throughout the afternoon.
Organizers also invited a number of students from local elementary and secondary schools, which tied into the theme of spirit of family.

“What we really wanted to do was convey that our community is a family and that it takes all the different people that make up a family to raise a child,” Hunter said.

Fort William First Nation Chief Peter Collins said actions such as the federal government recognizing the United Nations declaration of the rights of indigenous people, as well as the findings of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, are positive steps in relationship building.

Those signal a commitment to righting past wrongs.

“Today is the end of one era and the beginning of a new era,” Collins said.  “We want the people to recognize our culture and our language but not only that, we want them to recognize the commitment of First Nations people to this country and our rightful place in this country.”

Collins added he is optimistic there is hope for a future.

“I want (people in attendance) to make sure we build a strong relationship with each other and make sure we understand each other,” he said.

“It’s not about racism or anything like that. I think we need to work together to create a healthy, strong environment for all of our people, no matter where we live.”