National Indigenous Peoples Day at Montreal’s Old Port
Posted June 21, 2023 11:39 am.
Last Updated June 21, 2023 7:29 pm.
National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations kicked off in Montreal Wednesday morning at the Old Port.
Along the water near the clock tower, a ceremony held featuring Mohawk elders.
“This is a celebration of who and what we are and will be lighting the fire, giving the prayers for good health for the rest of the year,” said Sedalia Kawennotas, leader of the ceremony.
“We are all celebrating and welcome in the summer season and nice weather that’s going to be coming up,” said Leonard Atonnion Bordeau, on the summer solstice festivities.
A tobacco offering was done to the sacred fire, along with performances of traditional songs and dances.
“It’s really nice for people to want to celebrate this day with us,” says 11-year-old, Nashtyn Owen Thonienkaranien Mayo, getting set to dance in the celebration.
Multiple generations of people from the Mohawk community dressed in powwow regalia, including their dance stick, feather fan, and more.
“For my ancestors who couldn’t dance when they were in residential school, that’s why I dance,” said Mayo.
“When I see young dancers that are really having a good time, it makes me happy because we’re getting older and we have younger dancers picking up after we have retired,” said Bordeau.
Leonard Atonnion Bordeau at the National Indigenous Peoples Day celebration in Montreal’s Old Port June 21, 2023. (Alyssia Rubertucci/CityNews)
“It’s something that wasn’t legal a lifetime ago, right?” said Owen John Skahionwiio Mayo, speaking of their traditional dances. “My grandparents weren’t able to dance and they brought a lot of pride into me and being able to bring my family over here is something special.”
“The young ones that you see with us have been with us since they were born and we were with our grandparents since we were born,” said Kawennotas. “It just came down from one generation to the next, to the next, to the next and now here we are.”
The festivities also included a performance by Innu singer, Shauit, performing songs off his new album.
“It’s going to be about healing mostly,” he said. “There’s a couple of songs in that in that album that talks about brighter days and healing.”
National Indigenous Peoples Day celebration in Montreal’s Old Port June 21, 2023. (Martin Daigle/CityNews)
National Indigenous Peoples Day celebration in Montreal’s Old Port June 21, 2023. (Martin Daigle/CityNews)
Some say they’re hoping this day brings awareness to their culture and way of life.
“I’m very appreciative that we have a day that everybody can celebrate and learn a little bit more because I truly believe once we learn a little bit more about our neighbor, we will achieve world peace,” said Owen Mayo.
“Just learn. Learn who we are and what we are,” said Kawennotas. “We welcomed you on our land, you’re still living on our land, respect it.”
