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3mo ago

Canada Celebrates National Indigenous Peoples Day With Solstice Festivals and Reconciliation Efforts

Solstice gatherings served to honour Indigenous traditions, emphasising demands for greater participation in decision-making.

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The annual Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival was held at a new location, Wesley Clover Parks, offering a larger space for expanded cultural programming, performances and competitions.
Dancers took part in the Grand Entry to begin the powwow Saturday afternoon.
Dancers took part in the Grand Entry to begin the powwow Saturday afternoon under the hot sun, their regalia dancing in the wind and shimmering with vibrant, stunning colours.

Overview

  • Events coast to coast included St. John’s sunrise ceremonies, Ottawa’s Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival, Toronto’s Na-Me-Res Traditional Powwow and the 11-day Many Nations, One Heartbeat festival at the Forks in Winnipeg.
  • Governor General Mary Simon hosted youth at Rideau Hall to craft paper hearts bearing messages of reconciliation, planting them in the “heart garden” honouring residential school survivors and victims.
  • Prime Minister Mark Carney took part in a closed event to mark the day and reaffirmed his government’s partnerships on health, education, housing and climate action to advance reconciliation.
  • The Assembly of First Nations released a summary report calling for full Indigenous participation in decision-making and criticised the recent major projects bill for undermining rights and environmental safeguards.
  • Ministers Guilbeault, Alty, Gull-Masty and Chartrand issued a joint statement celebrating the solstice and pledging federal support for Indigenous languages, culture and economic leadership.