National Indigenous Day 2017 - John Hendry Park (Trout Lake)

National Aboriginal Day 2017 occurred on Summer Solstice, June 21. It was a very beautiful and peaceful day. Clear blue skies and not too hot. This year, the Prime Minister of Canada renamed National Aboriginal Day. Hereafter it will be called National Indigenous Day to mirror the terminology in the United Nations Declaration on the rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).

UNDRIP codifies "Indigenous historical grievances, contemporary challenges and socio-economic, political and cultural aspirations" and is the "culmination of generations-long efforts by Indigenous organizations to get international attention, to secure recognition for their aspirations, and to generate support for their political agendas.

(Source: Wikipedia)

National Indigenous Day is a special day to celebrate the First Peoples of Canada and the heritage, diversity and culture that they have.  It was first celebrated in 1996 after years of lobbying by the Aboriginal peoples of Canada (Indian, Inuit and Métis  peoples).  Originally the Aboriginal peoples had hoped for a national statutory holiday recognizing their unique place in Canada's history however this didn't happen. It may happen in years to come.

I hadn't been to John Henry Park (otherwise known as Trout Lake) for a good many years. I used to go there for the celebrations on June 21st and also from time to time for Farmer's Markets.  This year I invited a friend to join me. I thought it was time she have an opportunity to see a pow-wow  (traditional dancing celebration and competition).  It turns out they no longer have a big pow-wow and even though they had a mini pow-wow we missed it entirely. My friend had to go to a seminar earlier in the day.  By the time we got to the park a good many activities had already wound up for the day.  Though a number of booths were still up most of them were packing up for the day.

I managed to capture some photos of lazy, sunny late afternoon.

There were ducks on the lake.

Watching them paddle around gave me a feeling of peace and tranquility on such a lovely day.

The canoes looked beautiful against the water and greenery.

 

 

I enjoyed this lady's leggings with the printed West Coast Aboriginal ovoid forms.

Later in the evening there was a big stage where some national and USA entertainers would perform.  We didn't get a chance to stay for the entertainment. We were only there for the first few minutes of the rap duo (on the stage in the photo below) from La Belle Province (Quebec)

I'm enjoying some family company at the moment so I may not have time to visit your blog until my guest leaves.

Enjoy your week and thanks so much for stopping by!

 Linking up with Saturday's Critters

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.

National Aboriginal Day

Today, June 21, 2010 is National Aboriginal Day in Canada. Do you know what that is?

It isn't a national holiday yet but is a day set aside  as a way of recognizing and celebrating the Aboriginal People's of Canada, the First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples of Canada.  National Aboriginal Day is now part of a series of Celebrate Canada days, beginning with National Aboriginal Day, and followed by St-Jean Baptiste Day on June 24, Canadian Multiculturalism Day on June 27, and concluding with Canada Day on July 1.

Here is a young Aboriginal boy dressed in his regalia and competing at a Calgary stampede. I'm providing the photo to give you an idea what young people might wear when sharing their culture on National Aboriginal Day. This regalia would be worn by plains or prairie First Nations.

 [Photo credit: efkaw from webshots]

[Photo credit: Maple Creek News]

The above photo is of 3 young Metis girls. They are wearing the traditional sashes (two woven ones and one beaded one in centre).  It looks like the two in the blue tops are wearing what prairie farm women would have worn in the days of homesteading and the young woman on the far left is wearing a white ribbon shirt with the Metis emblem of infinity design on the front. I did not upload photos of Inuit clothing as the server was not permitting this function at this time. Perhaps later.

In Vancouver where I live, I've often attended the celebrations which are usually held downtown on the grounds of the Vancouver Art Galley, at the Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Center and at Trout Lake Community Centre in the city's eastside (Victoria Drive just south of 12th Avenue).  It is usually a fun time alone or with friends to soak in the music and the sharing of the culture from many tribes. Usually there are guest artists (singers, dancers, story tellers and crafts people) from other parts of the country who participate here as well.

This year due to variable weather and feeling under the weather, I opted to stay home but I did catch much of a 3 hour Aboriginal concert on the nation's Aboriginal Television Network.  Today I'm just lazing around as I've had a very busy week since returning home a week ago.  I'm baking cookies as I have a sweet tooth and I'm finishing my crochet doily. My plans for the swimming lessons fell through this morning as my friend who is taking them with me fell ill this weekend. I will now have my first lesson on Friday. It will be good to get going with the lessons.  I hope you're having a nice start to your week.