On this National Indigenous Peoples Day, which marks the festivities surrounding the summer solstice, traditional ceremonies, events and shows were offered to the Montreal public.
Synonymous with a solar festival, but also with pride and the revaluation of ancestral traditions, June 21 is an opportunity for indigenous peoples to renew their vows of harmony with nature and peoples.
The solstice is an astronomical phenomenon that refers, in our cultures, to a ceremonial, a story and a very important particular tradition.explains André Dudemaine, from the community of Mashteuiatsh, co-founder of Terres en Vues, the organization behind these festivities.
” This is an opportunity, with these festivities, to take a break to reflect on environmental issues and reconciliation. This day reminds us of the importance of listening to our elders, of respect and of living in harmony with the living. It is a moment of meeting, friendship and exchanges in order to build solid bridges. “
Ceremonies, concerts, poetry and dance were therefore on the menu for this festive day, which began at 5 a.m. at the Botanical Garden, with the traditional fire ceremony (New window). To the sound of drums and throat singing, the celebrations continued at the Quai de l’horloge, in the Old Port, at 11:30 a.m., where artists and elected officials had made an appointment.
In the presence of the Mayor of Montreal, Valérie Plante, and the Grand Chief Kahsennenhawe Sky-Deer, of the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake, a colorful audience was able to appreciate the performances of the group Buffalo Hat Singers, the Innu singer Kanen, as well as traditional dances.
Our languages, our cultures and our nations are still here
During her speech, Grand Chief Kahsennenhawe Sky-Deer called for continued efforts to revitalize the languages and history of Indigenous peoples, while delivering a message of hope to new generations.
” Historically, we have been punished, arrested and jailed for practicing our ceremonies or even speaking our languages. Let us remember the aboriginal residential schools and this desire to eradicate aboriginal identity. Despite everything, our languages, our cultures and our nations are still there. You have to be proud of it “
reminding resilience, strength and courage of the Aboriginal populations, the Grand Chief of the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake nevertheless underlined that oppression is also still very much present in our societies. She therefore urged governments to do more and faster to build and repair relationships with Indigenous peoples.
For her part, Mayor Valérie Plante wanted to celebrate the contribution of Indigenous peoples to Canadian culture. She reiterated her desire to highlight her many cultural contributions to the metropolis, while continuing the fight against systemic racism, which remains an obstacle to reconciliation.
Foreigners solidarity
While members of the various Aboriginal communities celebrated the longest day of the year, foreigners, tourists and newcomers were also numerous to take part in the festivities.
A pleasing phenomenon that seems to be growing, according to organizer André Dudemaine, who sees it as a positive sign of change and a necessary support. Some even participate every year. This is the case of Angela, who has lived in Canada since 2014 and considers herself very sensitive to the issues of indigenous communities.
” It is the first authentic culture of this space, so I come out of respect for these people and to honor them. They have been the soul of this territory for millennia, it is important for me to be there and show solidarity with them. “
For Quebec entrepreneur Tony Simard, who has been taking part in these festivities for several years, it is essential that non-native people participate in the revaluation of Aboriginal cultures, in particular that of languages, in order to prevent them from disappearing.
” We were not respectful of these cultures, there is really a work of reconciliation to be done, but also of revalorization of the native languages. It is also our role to participate in this preservation. “
Signe Lindstoim, a Danish living in Montreal, is particularly interested in ancestral knowledge. She wouldn’t have missed the festival of light under any circumstances. She also danced for a long time alongside indigenous women on June 21.
” Doing the summer solstice with the indigenous communities was important for me, because we have a lot to learn from them, especially in the way they respect nature. They are models to follow in terms of holistic knowledge and the desire to preserve spaces. It’s very generous of them to include us in their ceremonies. “
Other non-native people who took part in these festivities also spoke of this feeling of solidarity and gratitude towards the indigenous peoples, but some also deplored the too great lack of visibility of these communities.
According to a retired Montrealer, who wished to remain anonymous, there is still too little information about Indigenous peoples and their concerns. However, we, the French Canadians, we are all métisshe assures. There are a lot of Aboriginal people in us and that is what makes our Quebec people. So when I attend these events, I also come to rediscover a bit of my identity.
Vibrate to music
At the end of the day, and despite the rain, a free concert (New window) was organized by Pop Montreal at Square Cabot. Several Aboriginal artists paraded on stage until sunset, including Elisapie, Buffalo Hat Singers, Cris Derksen, Drezus, Mike Paul and Scott Sinquah. The musical performances followed one another until sunset.
In the evening, ICI Télé, Télé-Québec and ICI Musique broadcast The Great Solsticean outdoor concert featuring Samian, Anachnid, Scott-Pien Picard, Aysanabee and Beatrice Deer, among others.
Sarah LauSarah Lau
Source: Radio-Canada
