Thousands celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day

Drums and song filled Winnipeg’s downtown Sunday as thousands gathered at The Forks to celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day and while festivities continued late into the evening, some in attendance said the event’s importance spans generations.

Braiding her daughter Sofia Ducharme’s hair in preparation for the Wáhkóhtowin Powwow — one of the day’s numerous celebrations — Alea Elliott said the powwow was one of the first for the 11-year-old. Watching his daughter get ready was Derek Ducharme, who is originally from the Waywayseecappo First Nation.

“It’s nice she gets to do this, because Derek didn’t get to learn about his culture,” said Alea, saying the family came into the city from Landmark.

Wearing a stunning jingle dress that shines in the summer sun, both Alea and Derek said they were proud to see their daughter participate in Sunday’s celebration, as Derek’s father was a victim of Canada’s colonial systems that separated Indigenous families from their children.

His father’s siblings were taken to Birtle Indian Residential School, 285 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg, and while he didn’t attend — taken off reserve by his grandmother, potentially to protect him — he attended a different Catholic school, and even today, it’s not something he talks about to Derek and Alea.

But both said the 74-year-old Phil is always excited to talk about his granddaughters, and their future, and said to watch Sofia perform, fills him with joy.

“He’s very proud of her,” said Derek. “To see her up there and doing this. Especially being involved in the culture and learning it. It makes him very proud.”

Numerous family members came to watch the performance and Alea said the jingle dress Sofia was wearing for her performance will become a family heirloom in the years and decades to come.

“I love people watching me,” said the youngster. “And I love the sounds of the jingle and the drum and I love trying to step to the beat.”

Sofia said dancing gives her a sense of pride and said she felt nothing but excitement as she prepared to take part. Training through the Aboriginal School of Dance, she’s also been taught about the deeper meanings behind the dress and celebrations.

“They build a lot of language into it as well,” said Alea. “The meaning behind the jingle dress … the beadwork and the animals that we use and attach to ourselves.”

Forks’ officials said from 3,000 to 6,000 were expected to attend Sunday’s celebrations for National Peoples Day and Diandra Ballantyne said the event is an important one for both her and her son Denzin, who is almost two.

“I’m happy to raise my son in this way,” she said. “I want him to know about his culture, because I know, for a long time, we weren’t allowed to embrace our culture.”

Originally from the Mosakahiken Cree Nation, as she held the little one in her arms, she said next year, she hopes to see her son participating in the powwow, as these types of celebrations are about the future.

“We’re told to think seven generations ahead, so I think it is for our kids. For the ones who come after us,” she said.

Premier Wab Kinew acknowledged in a statement Sunday the fact Indigenous Peoples Day falls on Father’s day, saying both are about “where we come from and who we are.”

“Just as our parents pass on parts of themselves, previous generations passed on languages, cultural traditions and treaties that continue to shape Manitoba today,” said Kinew.

“We have also inherited a province shaped by the leadership of the Red River Métis. Louis Riel helped bring Manitoba into Confederation. John Norquay, a Red River Métis, served in Manitoba’s first legislature and later became premier. Their vision of a province where different peoples could live together remains part of the legacy all Manitobans share today.”

Kinew also talked about the strength of Manitoba’s northern identity connecting the province to Inuit communities in the Kivalliq region of Nunavut, saying Manitobans of all backgrounds have benefited from the Indigenous leadership that helped shape the region.

“Today is an opportunity to celebrate the Anishinaabe, Anisininew, Ininew, Dakota, Dene, Inuit and Métis and all Manitobans,” he said in the statement.

“For Indigenous people, today is a day to honour the gifts we have inherited from our ancestors. Our languages, stories, and songs. Keep your mind strong, your body strong, your spirit strong, and wear your hair long. It’s a good day.”

Ronald Gamblin, a member of the Indigenous community who was born-and-raised in Winnipeg who was taking part in the celebration at the Forks, said the event is also a chance to just honour Indigenous people and celebrate them.

“Often when we think of Indigenous gatherings and activities, it’s usually in opposition to something, or in support of a need in the community,” he said.

“There’s not often enough opportunities where we actually just get to be regeneratively and celebrate. Really moving away from the urgency of life to doing something we actually want to build together.”

Gamblin said he feels the celebration is also important because it highlights Indigenous culture and showcases the strength of the community, as it’s one often placed in a “base deficit” position by government failings and colonial racism. The celebrations, at the Forks and elsewhere in the city, push the conversation forward for generations to come, while recognizing the work of generations that have come before.

“For Indigenous people, today is a day to honour the gifts we have inherited from our ancestors.”

“It’s about building in this curriculum, about building these celebratory spaces, these learning spaces — throughout this month, yes — but it’s also about recognizing and empowering the movement that’s already happening.”

Getting ready to go on patrol with the Mama Bear Clan, Bernadette Folster said Sunday’s patrol felt a little different, as while thousands gathered to celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day, there are many community members who won’t be able to make it.

“So at least we’re still out there,” she said. “Bringing gifts of love to people.”

While she hopes for it every single day, Folster said she hopes the event also spurs further action from politicians to help Indigenous people and communities who are dealing with intergenerational trauma, racism and government oppression.

“We’re celebrating Indigenous people, but our Indigenous people are struggling and have been harmed and are walking with intergenerational trauma,” she said. “We’re celebrating one day, but they need help everyday. There’s so much more — systematically — that they need.”

morgan.modjeski@freepress.mb.ca