2020 National Indigenous Peoples Day Celebrations
On June 21, Canada will be celebrating National Indigenous Peoples Day. First celebrated in 1996, National Indigenous Peoples Day is a day to recognize and celebrate the cultures and contributions of Indigenous peoples from across Canada. Let’s gather together – online – to celebrate the rich cultures and stories of Indigenous peoples in Alberta.
Thank you to everyone who took part in the celebrations this year! For those who may have missed them, please feel free to view the presentations and videos that were shared (at right.)
Do you have a question about Indigenous culture or history? Ask you question here, and start a conversation that will lead to greater understanding and awareness.
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Who's Listening
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Senior Program Officer, Population Public and Indigenous Health
Alberta Health Services
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Provincial Director South, Indigenous Health Program
Cultural Activities
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"Travelling Song: One Rattle, One People" is a project created by Sherryl Sewepagaham, music therapist with Alberta Health Services' Indigenous Health Program, from an idea of sharing a community rattle to celebrate in song for National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21, 2020.
"Travelling Song" is a well-known and well-loved community song created by The Aboriginal Women's Voices Group, a collective of Indigenous women singers from Canada and the United States who participated in the 3-week residency program at the Banff Centre for the Arts in 1997.
"Travelling Song" was produced by Russell Wallace from the Lil'wat Nation in BC during the program and Travelling Song can be heard on The Hearts of the Nation CD. The participants in "Travelling Song: One Rattle, One People" are Alberta Health Services staff and community members.
There are many rattle teachings and this rattle represents the coming together of many hearts and voices.
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Nadine teaches how to make a beaded lanyard.
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Lisa instructs us on to make beautiful beaded earrings in this video.
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Atsinak shares how she pursues wellness through her Inuit crafts and singing. Listen to this traditional song from the North, celebrating the return of the sun after months of darkness.
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Learn how to make traditional fry bread with Lisa.
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Doug shares his traditional dancing in this video.
"I learned this dance by watching others. I am also a traditional dancer.
The most famous Métis dance is the Red River Jig or as it is known in Michif, “oayache mannin”. The accompanying fiddle tune is considered an
unofficial Métis anthem. The dance is a combination of Plains, First Nations footwork with Scottish,
Irish and French-Canadian dance forms.
The basic jig step is danced in most Métis communities. However, dancers often add their own “fancy” dance steps during certain segments of the tune. Some dancers use fancy steps to identify their home community.”
