The community came together yesterday at the Seven Generations field to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day. The community event was put together by The All Nations Health Partners and was called Steps to Truth and Reconciliation.
“Today is a very special day, we celebrate all Nishnawbe people and the Metis. It's a really important day for us as Nishnawbe people, hosting a Powow to celebrate who we are, where we come from, and to pass on the teaching to the young children that are here today,” said Reno Cameron Cultural Coordinator for Kenora Chiefs Advisory.
Cameron added that this day has been a long time coming as the COVID-19 pandemic has prevented gatherings and celebrations like the one that was seen yesterday to happen.
The ceremony consisted of a drum circle which was included members of the Kenora Chiefs Advisory and the drummers played four songs. The first song is the grand entry, then moves into the pipe song and then performs a couple of inter-tribal songs. Each song had a different meaning.
Along with the drumming, members also wore jingle dresses dancing in a circle around the drummers.
Along the greenbelt starting from the Lake of the Woods Hospital signage was displayed celebrating Indigenous culture, and share what each organization is individually doing to work towards Truth and Reconciliation.
This information was a crucial part of the event as it demonstrated what they are doing to work towards Truth and Reconciliation. After the remains of 215 children were found at a Kamloops Indian Residential School site.
Last week, the Ontario government has committed to working with Indigenous communities to help support the identification, investigation, protection, and commemoration of Indian Residential School burial sites across the province.
Premier Doug Ford pledged $10 million over the next three years to support the necessary work which will be guided by Indigenous elders, residential school survivors, and community leaders.
National Indigenous Peoples Day is a day for all Canadians to recognize and celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures, and outstanding contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Metis peoples. This day is celebrated every year on June 21