National Aboriginal Day celebrates heritage and culture in Regina
The 17th Annual National Aboriginal Day takes place on June 21, and the celebration has seen many changes over the years. The National Aboriginal Day celebrations began as a government initiative with events that included a lunch barbecue for employees of various government departments.
The celebrations gradually grew into a few larger day-festivals, and now almost all community organizations, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, have their own celebrations at all levels of government, Crown corporations, private business, and educational institutions within the community.
“It truly has gone back to the people, as it was intended,” said Regina Aboriginal Day Wascana Park Celebrations director, Orenda Yuzicapi.
This year’s theme celebrates the past, present, and future triumphs of Canada’s Aboriginal people. It brings the significance of Aboriginal contribution to Canada as a whole to everyone. It acknowledges the achievements in creating our modern society, people who have made a difference by inspiring others, achieving success, and contributing to the culture and sacrificing for the greater good.
“We are proud of our history and want to showcase what we have done for our cultures and mainstream society...our cultures are alive and vibrant and are not just found in museums as a past people,” said Yuzicapi. “Our goal is awareness, as with better understanding comes better relationships for everyone.”
The present is just as important for the past as it is for the future. The past cannot be changed, but it can be learned from. And, the present allows a change in the future through what is done today. This can be accomplished by understanding the
history of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples, and building a working relationship as cultures move forward, striving for the greater good.
“Our ultimate goal is to create an understanding. Today we want to reach out and help non-Aboriginals to understand our cultures and appreciate our contributions,” said Yuzicapi.
The Northwest corner of Wascana Park will see events starting at 9 a.m. until 10 p.m. Opening ceremonies will take place from 10 to 11 a.m., with a traditional Aboriginal Procession leading in the flags of the present nations that are celebrated in the ceremonies. This is a high honor among the Aboriginal people of Canada, and celebrates the union of Aboriginal people with all Canadians.
The welcoming addresses will be delivered by dignitaries, including Aboriginal representatives, federal and provincial government representatives. Event sponsors will also have an opportunity to address attendees about the Aboriginal cultural significance within Regina and the rest of Canada.
There will also be on-going events and displays throughout the park from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. including sports demonstrations such as lacrosse; language and visual arts demonstrations including pottery, flint knapping, Metis cart making, and finger weaving; arts and crafts; children’s performers such as Aboriginal puppet shows and musicians; food preparation demonstrations; and community organizations and display booths.
Performance artists such as Métis jiggers and musicians, and First Nation traditional dancers and contemporary performances will also be featured. Traditional song and dance performances will be featured periodically throughout the afternoon from 12:30 until 5 p.m.
A traditional round dance will take place at the end of day. Everyone is welcome to participate in this thank-you dance. It is a circle social dance used to welcome, thank, and meet new friends.
During the day’s festivities, families are welcome to attend a pro-wrestling event featuring regional wrestling league champions, including the “First Nation Sensation” Wavell Starr. This is an event for all ages.
The Regina Aboriginal Professional Association is partnering with Farm Credit Canada on the Third Annual Aboriginal Talent Showcase, which is held on June 21 at the Cornwall Centre from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The performance will feature traditional dancers from Wambdi Dance, Charging Bear Drum Group, as well as Metis jigging duo Lila and Sabrina Poitras with fiddler Nathaniel Baker.
June 27 to 29 is National Aboriginal Fashion Week, which takes place at First Nations University of Regina from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Four local designers will be chosen to take part in a New York City fashion show in September.