'Tell the full story': How some local communities are reimagining Canada Day celebrations
Communities in Waterloo region are reimagining Canada Day to be more inclusive and to honour Indigenous peoples.
Organizers of Canada Day in Wilmot said they worked with local Indigenous leaders to develop the plan for their festivities this year.
The event will begin Friday morning at 6 a.m. with an Indigenous sunrise ceremony led by an Indigenous Elder. In the afternoon, at the opening ceremonies, the national anthem will be sung in both English and Cree. In the evening, during the firework show, the creation story will be read out loud.
“We have Indigenous-focused in the morning, in the middle, and at the end of the day,” said event organizer Angie Hallman, explaining the structure is like the Métis infinity symbol.
Hallman said it’s important to honour Indigenous peoples.
“We can’t do reconciliation without truth, so [we’re] going forward together and choosing whatever Canada feels like to you, we encourage people to just come as you are and let go forward together. ”
WATERLOO PLANS EVOLVE
In Waterloo, the city will be hosting its first in-person Canada Day celebration.
Usually, the University of Waterloo puts on the Canada Day event at Columbia Lake, but the university is longer hosting.
The City of Waterloo said to differentiate itself from UW’s event, it is not calling the celebration Canada Day, but instead the July 1 Community Picnic.
Festivities will take place at Waterloo Park, where there will be live music from local artists, food, games, and a LED light show to end the night.
The city said it wants to be more mindful of Canada’s history, which is why an Indigenous art installation, called Hope and Healing Canada, will also be on-site.
“It uses large knit and crochet pieces to illustrate the connection between people and their environment, and to promote dialogue, questioning the connection between Indigenous, Inuit, Metis and settlers,” said Lakyn Barton, festival and events specialist with City of Waterloo. “You can look through and see the sky and it’s about changing the lens in which you’re viewing the land.”
Barton said it’s important to understand that Canada Day is not a celebration for everyone.
“To be respectful and to honour that pain,” she said. “So we’re trying to shift our event to talk more about what do we have locally and how do we propel these conversations forward.”
RECOGNIZING 'SHORTCOMINGS'
The Anishinabek Nation, a political body that represents First Nations across Ontario, said it encourages Canadians to reflect on the history of the country.
Grand Council Chief Reg Niganobe said Canada Day is often a somber day for Indigenous people, as it brings up the dark history.
“The Indigenous history, it’s been erased for so long, or forgotten for so long, or suppressed for so long. It’s important now to have that included to tell the story of Canada and tell the true story of Canada,” he said. “That’s the only way we can progress together in reconciliation. If there is true reconciliation, then we do need to recognize the shortcomings that exist now and have existed in the past.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.