Summer begins with National Aboriginal Day

If you watched the National on CBC last night you witnessed acclaimed Canadian, Metis actor and singer, Tom Jackson, speaking on the occasion of the Recognition of Outstanding Indigenous Leadership. In keeping with the indigenous understanding of all our relations, Tom Jackson acknowledged the maple leaf as his sister pointing out the red leaf on our flag. He then poignantly asked the invited guests present, including the Governor General and the Prime Minister and their wives, to spend five minutes considering him to be their brother. Many in the audience were visibly moved by this moment of profound recognition of our mutual relationship.

National Aboriginal Day, celebrates the heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding achievements of First Nations, Inuit and Métis.

Tomorrow, in celebrating National Aboriginal Day, June 21. APTN (Aboriginal Peoples Television Network) is making broadcast history with its 7-hour live show uniting Canadians from coast to coast in Eight Cities, One Great Gathering.  

APTN in its promotion of Aboriginal Day Live announced a live concert which will feature some of the most recognized entertainers in Aboriginal music and television, including the award-winning and those on the rise.

The eight cities hosting Aboriginal Day Live include Halifax, Ottawa, Toronto, Winnipeg, Yellowknife, Edmonton and Vancouver. Performers will appear on location and live on APTN. No other broadcaster has ever put together an event of this magnitude. I encourage you to watch on Wednesday, June 21 starting at 7 p.m. EST.

This is an excellent way to come to a better understanding and greater appreciation of our sisters and brothers and make a personal contribution to writing a new chapter in our common history. 

Nancy Wales, CSJ

National Aboriginal Day

As I begin to write this blog, I find it is hard to believe that 20 years have passed since I stood chatting with former National Grand Chief of the Assembly of First Nations (1985-1991), George Erasmas, in the staff room of St. Patrick’s High School in Yellowknife. Our conversation centred around the upcoming initial celebration of National Aboriginal Day. Rather a bit naive but none the less curious I questioned him as to the choice of June 21^st. He gently provided me its background. The 21 June was chosen for many reasons-including its cultural significance as the Summer solstice, and the fact that it is a day on which many Aboriginal groups traditionally celebrate their heritage.

National Aboriginal Day was announced in 1996 by then Governor General of Canada, Roméo LeBlanc, National Aboriginal Day was the result of consultations and statements of support for such a day made by various Indigenous groups including more formally in 1995, within the recommendations of Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples.

The Northwest Territories is the first and only jurisdiction in Canada that recognizes National Aboriginal Day as a statutory holiday. The National Aboriginal Day Act, was passed by the 14th Assembly in November 2001. Events are organized across the country and in NWT communities to showcasing the Aboriginal culture through drum dances, traditional games, traditional foods, music and artwork.

Check local media sources or the Internet for events in your local area.

What Amazing TV!

Closely aligned with the spirit of National Aboriginal Day celebrations are the Indspire Awards televised on APTN or Global TV at 7:30 PM EDT on Friday, June 24^th. I encourage you to set time aside to tune in. As past award nights have shown you will certainly experience an evening of culture and celebration surrounding the stories of fourteen outstanding Indigenous achievers are told.

The Indspire website summarizes the evening as: “Each year 14 recipients are recognized for their outstanding accomplishments in various disciplines ranging from health, law, political science, culture, arts, and others, two of which are specific recognition to one outstanding youth achiever and one lifetime achievement recipient. The awards are recognized both nationally and internationally as one of the highest honours the community can bestow upon its own achievers.”

Indspire Awards

APTN or Global TV at 7:30 PM EDT on Friday, June 24^th

Nancy Wales CSJ