National Aboriginal Day, June 21st, is being celebrated with a renewed spirit this year. The conclusion of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in May, has raised the profile of Canada’s indigenous people. And the growing awareness of their suffering, and the denial of their cultural expression is giving rise to a new respect.
During its six year mandate, the three Commissioners of the TRC heard more than 6,750 survivor and witness statements from across Canada. The testimony described horrendous mistreatment and abuse at Indian Residential Schools for over a century. Many of these people spoke of their experiences for the first time during the commission hearings.
There are 94 calls to action, which represent a first step toward redressing the legacy of Indian Residential Schools and advancing the process of reconciliation according to the Honourable Justice Murray Sinclair, chair of the TRC.
“A day like June 21st is an opportunity to gap what separates us and to build some bridges for a better future”
In Montreal, a day of celebration is planned in the heart of Old Montreal, honouring the history of the aboriginal people of this place, and their contribution to the city we all live in today.
Kondiaronk, a Huron warrior and one of the architects of the Great Peace of Montreal in 1701, is buried somewhere in Place D’Armes, and he will be honoured for his role in creating the city of Montreal.
Andre Dudemaine is the Director of Cultural Activities at Montreal’s Aboriginal organization known as Land in Sights. It is a place dedicated to promoting indigenous art and culture within the city and abroad. He says,”a day like June 21st is an opportunity to gap what separates us and to build some bridges for a better future.”
ListenAndre Dudemaine loves the ritual of the fire-lighting on this occasion. He says it is when the fire of the sky and the fire of the earth meet together, a symbol of the solstice. He says there is a deep significance there when the elder brings the flame to the fire and he describes it as a moment of strong communion between the environment, the people and the nations.
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