Gathering fulfils performer’s vision
A youth-centered event that will showcase indiginous music and culture next week is just the kind of indigenous celebration Missy Knott has envisioned since she was a little girl.
The Gathering for Youth of Nogojiwanong, which will kick off Peterborough’s four days of Canada 150th anniversary celebrations next Thursday in Millenium Park, is the brainchild of a singer who knows the importance of building bridges.
“I want to provide opportunities for aboriginal youth that weren’t provided for me,” she said Tuesday afternoon before taking part in an APTN broadcast in Vancouver ahead of Wednesday’s National Aboriginal Day. “This is just the beginning.”
Peterborough LIVE Music Festival, for example, provided Knott was an opportunity that helped her now-blossoming career unfold in such a positive way.
The 27-year-old, who did not grow up on a reserve, also credits Curve Lake First Nation for playing a vital educational role in her life.
“I wouldn’t know anything about my culture without my music,” she said.
The gathering will launch Downtown Pop-Up,” the first day of Celebrate at Home activities that take place in the city from June 29 to July 2.
The event is an example of reconciliation at work through the education and sharing of cultures between youth, organizer Wendy Fischer said.
More than 300 students from Grade 3 to 7 who will be bussed to the site thanks to sponsorship by the Peterborough Canada 150th committee.
“We are excited for our students to take part in events like this so that they can see and experience the rich and vibrant culture of the Indigenous people on whose territory we find ourselves,” Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board student achievement consultant Sherry Lajoie stated via email.
“We are blessed to have great relationships with the First Nations communities, including the urban Indigenous organizations, and with the Métis, in Nogojiwanong. Many of our schools have invited Elders, knowledge-holders and storytellers into classrooms, but this kind of big event is a beautiful celebration of learning and friendship.”
The free event takes place rain or shine from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Families, daycares, youth groups, and school classes will gather near Little Lake, where drummers, singers, dancers and teachers will share songs, dances and teachings, with a special focus on First Nation cultures for young learners.
It will feature the DNA( Dedicated Native Awareness) drum group, M’Shkaaziwin Singers, Red Path Singers, hoop dancer Beany John, the Curve Lake Dancers, singer/ songwriter Taylor Merrick, Holy Cross native studies students, the Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre and TRACKS (Trent Aboriginal Cultural Knowledge and Science Initiative).
Courtice Secondary School teacher Andrieana Montgomery, who designed a poster for the event with student art, will emcee the gathering. Her students’ work, a REDress art, photography and tile art exhibit, will be on display.
Peterborough DBIA executive director Terry Guiel said he reached out to Knott and Fischer to ensure the gathering was part of the city’s Canada 150 celebrations.
“I knew that they would be able to pull together something very special, entertaining and inclusive ... The (event) has shaped up to be something amazing that will bring the community together as we get the Canada 150 celebrations underway,” he stated via email.
“It is very important for the awareness it creates while also bringing together groups, especially young people, that we want to encourage to not only enjoy the downtown, but to partner with on future endeavours. Hopefully this is the beginning of something we can build on.”
For a full list of 150th celebration events, please visit www.peter-borough.ca/PTBO150.