Saturday, June 23, 2012

Aussie Visitor to Aboriginal Day 2012

Since 1996, Canada celebrates National Aboriginal Day on June 21, 2012.  It is a day to recognize and celebrate the culture and contributions of Canada's Aboriginal Peoples, the Indian, Inuit and Metis.

Mostly the celebrations happen in large towns and cities across the country and often includes Aboriginal artists and dancers and activities such as:

  • Summer solstice festivals
  • Barbecue fundraisers
  • Social networking gatherings with traditional and contemporary music, dance and singing
  • Sacred fire extinguishing ceremonies
  • Traditional feasts, which may include fry bread and moose stew

In addition, the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN), airs a televised special of Aboriginal entertainers for Canadians to watch in the comfort of their homes. Usually this nationally televised program is aired live from Winnipeg, Manitoba at a place called "The Forks", a beautiful part of the city which is down by the riverfront.

Today is June 23, 2012, and right now the national program is being aired from both Winnipeg and Regina, Saskatchewan. It features a variety of talented Aboriginal performers representing the different indigenous people in Canada.  This year's performers are (in no particular order): Inez, Christa Couture, Beatrice Deer, Vince Fontaine & Indian City, Don Amero, Neewa Mason, Pamela Davis, Riva, William Prince, Kashtin and Academy award winner, Buffy Sainte-Marie.  Some of these performers are well known, but others I haven't heard of before and I was blown away by their significant talents. 

The program was even more special to me because the show featured a young rising Aboriginal star from Australia. His name is Adam James and he sings country music. I thought I would share one of his videos with you. The song is called "Who's Counting Anyway". He wrote the song to celebrate the 25th anniversary of his parents. I hope you like it and I hope you will also check out the APTN link and learn more about the country's great Aboriginal entertainers and artists.  The link is set up specifically for the Aboriginal Day celebrations so hopefully it works after the show.


18 comments:

OneStonedCrow said...

Interesting Penny - I'd love to witness some of the ceremonies you mentioned - and I've long liked Buffy Sainte-Marie.

Joyful said...

Oh wow, Graham. I always find it fun to learn about other cultures through listening to music and watching dance. It's great that you know of Buffy Sainte-Marie way over there in Namibia. I do like her also.

Coral Wild said...

I hope you had a good weekend Penny and enjoyed the show:) The song by young Adam James is wonderful. He is very talented isn't he?

Joyful said...

I'm having a quiet, good weekend so far. I'm glad you enjoyed the song. I think this young man will be a big star one day. I see he is now getting some North American exposure and I hope those opportunities grow for him. I hope you're having a good weekend also. Take good care.

Kay L. Davies said...

Fabulous, Penny!
K

Joyful said...

Glad you enjoyed it, Kay! Have a wonderful rest of your weekend :-)

Denise said...

Very interesting, and nice.

Joyful said...

Glad you liked it!

Diane said...

Interesting post, I am surprised that you celebrate in Canada but maybe there are many Australians living there. Sadly as always I cannot play the video with my slow connection :( Diane

Lonicera said...

Marvellous voice, and how lovely to celebrate his parents' marriage.
Caroline

❀~Myrna~❀ said...

Very interesting, never knew any of this :) Great country artist, I enjoyed listening.

Joyful said...

Hi Diane, Canada is not celebrating the Aborigines of Australia. We are celebrating the Aboriginal Peoples of Canada and we had this Aborigine guest of Australia. The connect is there because both groups of people are first peoples to the land.

Joyful said...

I'm glad you enjoyed the voice :-)

Joyful said...

Thank you for stopping by Myrna!

Jan said...

How interesting your post was Penny. I would like to find the time to learn more about all this, so thanks for the link. I enjoyed listening to the music too, sweet sentiments and he looks so lovely.

Joyful said...

Hi Jan, I'm glad you enjoyed the post. I hope you get enough time to investigate further. The young singer, Adam, seems like such a lovely person besides being talented and gives much back to his community.

Brenda Green said...

Dear Friend,
Thank's for the great info. This is very interesting. Adam James is very good. I like his soft singing voice.
me

Joyful said...

Thank you, Brenda. I love his soft singing voice too ;-)

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