National Aboriginal Day bring challenges and opportunity

As we welcomed the arrival of summer, Canada marked the 21st celebration of National Aboriginal Day last week. Initiated in 1996 after consultations with various indigenous groups, the day is an opportunity for all Canadians to celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures and many contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Metis, all constitutionally recognized as aboriginal peoples.

The summer solstice was chosen as a culturally significant date when many indigenous communities traditionally celebrated the longest day of the year.

It is also a time to reflect on the relationship between aboriginal and non-aboriginal citizens and the challenges that remain. Poverty is still too prevalent in First Nations communities, where housing and living conditions are often far below acceptable standards. Education is a challenge, with many young people not completing high school. Addiction is too common. Such conditions must be improved to strengthen both communities and relationships.

However, National Aboriginal Day was, and is, a time to celebrate the many contributions of Aboriginal Peoples to Canada.

The late Manitoba MLA and First Nations leader Elijah Harper, a key player in the rejection of the Meech Lake Accord, was among those who worked to create National Aboriginal Day. Writing in The Ottawa Citizen not long after Mr. Harper’s death, in May 2013, his wife Anita Olsen Harper said the day was “specifically to celebrate aboriginal histories, cultures and identities and reach far beyond merely enduring or tolerating one another as aboriginal and non-aboriginal peoples.” “This day, as Elijah saw it, was also about espousing harmony and goodwill in spite of all the differences between the First Nations and most other Canadians.”

On Canada’s 150th anniversary, this year’s Aboriginal Day celebrations were the largest ever. Aboriginal Peoples Television Network CEO Jean La Rose told reporters the celebration “will expand its grassroots reach to aboriginal communities even further” with Canada 150 funds.

There are many reminders of the fractious relationship between aboriginal and non-aboriginal communities.

It is a delicate relationship that has improved over the years but continues to require attention and assistance.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada report stated in 2015: “Reconciliation is not an aboriginal problem; it is a Canadian one. Virtually all aspects of Canadian society may need to be reconsidered.” National Aboriginal Day provides all of us with a chance to celebrate our connections and differences.

Those connections and differences who make us who we are.