By Bryan Eneas

What does National Aboriginal Day mean to Indigenous people?

Jun 22, 2017 | 12:00 PM

Celebrations have wrapped up for National Aboriginal Day, but what does the day represent to Indigenous people?

paNOW asked five prominent Indigenous people from Prince Albert and area to find out what the day means to them personally.

John Hanikenne, the president of the Council of Aboriginal Peoples’ Saskatchewan chapter, said it’s a chance to recognize a shared heritage.

“[It’s also a chance] to share that heritage with the other people who live in Canada and show them that we’re good people,” he said.

Janet Carriere, the director of the Prince Albert Indian and Metis Friendship Centre was one of many people who helped co-ordinate the celebrations at the Art Hauser Centre. She said National Aboriginal Day is important to bring Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples together to break down stigmas.

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“In order to truly heal we need to walk hand in hand forward,” Carriere said. “If we have celebrations such as today where the non-aboriginal community comes and experiences and enjoys, maybe we can work towards working together in the future a little better.”

Prince Albert’s citizen of the year Sheryl Kimbley sang a long with a few of the Indigenous musicians who appeared on stage, and acted as host following the day’s Grand Entry. She said when she was growing up, it felt like “a day to celebrate each other.”

“We [show our talents] all the time,” Kimbley said. “It’s a chance to amplify and say this is what we contribute, there’s many good things about us; our beautiful teepees, our jigging, our singing, the way we share.”

Prince Albert Grand Council Grand Chief Ron Michel called the day a celebration of survival during his speech. Later, he said the recognition has been long needed.

“I strongly believe that the non-Indigenous peoples of Canada should start knowing we do have a place with our own government,” Michel said.

Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations Vice Chief Kimberly Johnathan was in the Prince Albert area to attend ceremonies with her family. She said National Aboriginal Day encompasses “so many things.”

“It’s our history, number one we need to recognize our history in order to go forward,” Johnathan said. “It’s challenging when we are trying to heal…when there’s not that full understanding in the rest of society.”

She said society needs to remember Indigenous people didn’t put themselves in the situations they’re in today. Systems like the pass and permit systems, or the reserve system which took Indigenous peoples from their traditional lands are responsible for a lot of today’s challenges.

“When we celebrate Aboriginal Day, we need to remember the history,” she said.

Bryan.Eneas@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @BryanEneas