Winnipeg came alive with the sights and sounds of aboriginal culture on Saturday as people celebrated Aboriginal Day. For some, the day was an opportunity to reflect on the importance of the day and remember a hero who helped make it happen.
The Grand Entrance of pow wow dancers captivated thousands at The Forks on Saturday. The confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers was an obvious choice for Aboriginal Day celebrations in Winnipeg.
"The site itself has always been a very special place for our people. They've gathered here for thousands of years," said Dave Courchene of Sagkeeng First Nation.
Thanks in part to events like this, The Forks remains a gathering place. "You know, you see people here that you haven't seen in a long time, like your family and friends, and we all get together," said Alice Leclaire, who said she returns every year.
Courchene says Canada needs more unabashed celebration of aboriginal culture, not just one day a year, but every day, to make sure traditions survive.
"We carry a dream as a people that has yet to be heard by the rest of the people in our homeland, so that's part of our journey today in events like this; to show the people who we really are," he said.
Jennifer Wood spent years working with Elijah Harper, a man she calls a hero and who helped create Aboriginal Day in Canada. Saturday, she planted a tree to honour Harper, something she would like to see become an Aboriginal Day tradition across the country.
"I'm hoping that this will carry on, that it will grow, that will impact Canada the way that Elijah impacted Canada, and that his legacy will live on," said Wood.
The thousands in attendance at The Forks also honoured Harper's legacy simply by celebrating aboriginal culture. "Whenever the sun shines the way that it is today, it shines on everyone,” said Courchene.
“It takes us beyond the separation and the divisions that we see living in our world today."
The celebration continues Saturday evening with more free live music at The Forks, including headliner Billy Ray Cyrus. Weather permitting, there will also be fireworks.
- With a report by Ben Miljure
