Aboriginal Day showcases First Nations culture to all

Montreal’s Aboriginal Day began with a group of young people carrying painted figures with huge, oversized heads on their shoulders down Place d’Armes in Old Montreal.

Swaneige Ber carried a giant figure whose face looked like the sun, with human features.

She was one of a group of around eight youth who worked on the figures, and painted their features, at Terres en Vues, the Montreal-based Aboriginal arts and culture organization.

“It was like kindergarten for adults,” joked Swaneige.

For Swaneige, Aboriginal Day is about showing people First Nations cultures are still here – and are alive and thriving.

“We are Canada. We are First Nations. And we’re not a forgotten people. I can’t scream it louder than putting a big sun above my head!” she joked.

Place d’Armes is a large square, with a statue featuring the “founder” of Montreal, Paul de Chomedey, sieur de Maisonneuve, who led a violent war against the Iroquois in the early days of French colonization.

André Dudemaine, the founder and director of Terre en Vues, organized the event. He said the central location works well, that it broadcasts to the city of Montreal that Aboriginal people are still here, that their presence is important and their culture is strong.

“These cultural activities reestablish our connection to this land,” explained Dudemaine. “As Indigenous nations, we were important in the development of the city. The fur trade was critical to it, and we were instrumental in it.”

Some of the highlights of the celebration included a powerful opening by a Mohawk Elder, who thanked everything on earth that sustains us.

“Thank the sun for our warmth, the moon for light, the animals for their hide and food, everything in creation,” he said.

His presentation was followed by musical performances, from drummers to singers.

When loud church bells started to ring in the middle of their set, a group of three female vocalists showed no sign of stopping and carried on, singing and drumming over the bells.

“We have some interference from the church,” one singer wryly observed.

A large number of spectators had gathered and seemed to genuinely enjoy the festivities.

One, Yamina Benazine, was struck by the performances. Originally from Algeria, she said the music and the dresses reminded her of home. She only wished her children had been there to witness the event.

“It’s important to celebrate the culture and difference. With modernization, sometimes the culture can be lost. But it is amazing, and it should be celebrated,” she said.

Val-d’Or

Val-d’Or’s Aboriginal Day saw its largest turnout yet. Edith Cloutier, executive director of the Val-d’Or Native Friendship Centre, said that some 3,000 people showed up.

“This year we had a record turnout. We had beautiful weather. It’s been six years since our first event. And now we see that it’s an event that’s well known in Val-d’Or and the surrounding region,” explained Cloutier.

The highlights included musical performances by Samian and Florent Vollant. Cloutier said that the artists appealed to a wide range of people.

Vollant is best known for his work with the seminal First Nations group Kashtin. And Samian, a member of the Abitibiwinni First Nation who raps in Algonquin and French, appeals to a younger generation that is drawn to his powerful message of self-determination and pride in Aboriginal cultures.

Cloutier said the growing number of non-Aboriginals showing up to Aboriginal Day events can improve relations between Native and non-Native peoples.

“We’re all sharing this land and territory,” she explained. “We might as well do it in a way that we can share opportunities to learn about one another. By doing that, we create a better society for our children.”