Canada remembers the first people

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Hundreds of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people gathered together in various venues around the province to celebrate a day set aside for Aboriginal people.

One of the biggest gatherings took place in downtown Regina at Victoria Park on Monday June 21.

Songs and dances representing the various Aboriginal peoples and cultures echoed throughout the seven acre park. Hundreds of children took advantage of face painting and the games provided by volunteers from the Committee for Advancement of Native Employment.

The informal committee is made up of Aboriginal federal, provincial and City of Regina employees who promote Aboriginal employment initiatives.

"Everything that's going on today is in recognition of all the contributions made by Aboriginal people, Indian, Inuit and Metis have made to Canada," said Lisa Nidosky, C.A.N.E. spokesperson. "It's a day to come together and celebrate. A day to educate non-Aboriginal people about the different cultures and diversity."

Nidosky, grew up in St. Louis, Sask., said as a Metis person, it's nice to get together with the other Aboriginal groups and be recognized for the contributions Metis people have made to Canada.

The theme of this year's celebration - Our Future is in our Past - focussed on the relationship between young people and the Elders.

Peggy Stonechild, an Elder from the Peepeekisis First Nation, attended the celebrations at the Four Directions Community Health Centre in Regina's north central neighborhood.

Stonechild said she enjoyed watching the young people perform with their pow wow dancing.

"Aboriginal people have come a long ways," said the 76-year-old Kokum. "It's not for nothing that I have grey hair."

Sitting in a shaded area, Stonechild decided to share some insight into some of the problems that plague her people. She says young Aboriginal people need to get away from the alcohol and drug lifestyle that she sees them living.

"I pity people when I see them drunk," said Stonechild who's been sober for 30-years. "I could see myself, I use to be like that."

She says celebrations like National Aboriginal Day are positive because they show society not all Aboriginal people have problems with alcohol and drugs.

Saskatchewan's Aboriginal population numbers around 111,245 people with about 14,000 calling Regina home.

On May 23, 1996 the government of Canada declared June 21 - the first day of summer - as National Aboriginal Day.

"Long, long time ago our ancestors asked the government to put a day aside to celebrate First Nations and Metis groups," said Noella McKay, director of the Four Directions Community Health Centre. "Finally it's been honored almost a century later."

The celebration at the centre is about informing people in the community what the health center is about, said MacKay.

One of the biggest changes in Aboriginal people is in their education, she said.

"Education is a big plus," she said. "A lot of our students are into the different professions."

Most of these people are encouraging their children to continue their schooling, MacKay said.

The celebrations at the centre included traditional pow wow singers and dancers as well as Metis-style fiddle and guitar tunes.