National Aboriginal Day heralds new beginning

Page 3

Pointing to a spot in the near distance, Grand Chief Ed Schultz of the Council of Yukon First Nations welcomed all those who had gathered to participate in National Aboriginal Day celebrations at the Rotary Peace Park. The theme of the Whitehorse celebration held June 21 was "New Beginning."

"I'm glad this gathering takes place here because it holds a lot of meaning for us," said the chief, who was born in Whitehorse.

"Today is a celebration of being Aboriginal and sharing with others, and more importantly, to identify with the culture and recognizing our contributions."

As the longest day of the year, June 21 also represents growth and a bountiful season ahead.

Several hundred Yukoners congregated to watch opening ceremonies under the protective tent that was an oasis of shade during a brilliantly sunny, cloudless day with temperatures topping 30 degrees in the capital. One of the more thorough presentations was the acknowledgement of the territory's skilled athletes. Numerous accolades were bestowed upon several Aboriginal athletes including four who were presented with the Tom Longboat regional award given in honour of the Onondaga man who won the 1907 Boston Marathon.

Although the celebration was forward-looking, there was reflection upon the sordid chapter of the residential school. A pencil drawing by artist Raymond Shorty portrayed the images of three faces in the heavens while in the centre of the picture is a family. The art acted as a bridge between recent history and what aspirations lie ahead as identified by the New Beginning theme.

Accompanying Shorty's presentation was a song, The Spirit Journey. It was composed by Phil Gatensby who played a hauntingly beautiful, Lakota-style flute.

A residential school survivor, Gatensby had consulted with the artist as to what the community wanted to get across with the picture.

"What we wanted to make was a symbol of the family and that's what we're trying to get back because it was hit so hard," said Gatensby, whose composition was inspired by those who died while their residential school lawsuits were unresolved.

"We thought it was a good opportunity to unveil this painting, as so many Aboriginal people have suffered," said Adeline Webber, president of the Gathering of Traditions Potlatch Society, which hosted the event. "But we also have to move on."