A day of resilience: Maritime Indigenous communities honour history differently this Canada Day
Indigenous communities across the Maritimes will be honouring history in a different way this Canada Day.
With the recent discoveries of hundreds of unmarked gravesites at former residential schools across Canada, many First Nations and Indigenous Peoples will observe a day of grieving or cultural celebration.
The town of Oromocto, N.B. cancelled its Canada Day plans and planted 215 orange flowers in solidarity with the Oromocto First Nation.
The chief, elders and members of the community attended the planting on Wednesday in the pouring rain.
"Every time I see it, it's going to give me a feeling of reflection, a feeling of grief, a lot of our family members, our community members are grieving, they're being revisited with their horrific memories," said Shelley Sabattis, chief of Oromocto First Nation.
In Fredericton, the St. Mary's First Nation will be holding Resilience Day on Thursday, beginning with a sunrise ceremony at 5:30 a.m. The community is also holding a healing walk at noon and a ceremony at 1 p.m.
"Ww want to come to understand, want to come to reflect and want to be able to come and walk with us to heal," said Allan Polchies, chief of St. Mary's First Nation.
In Nova Scotia, the Sipekne'katik First Nation in Shubenacadie will be holding a special tribute in recognition of residential school survivors and victims.
"Nobody is trying to force anything on anyone. It's just our people went through some hard times and we're trying to bounce back from that," said Mike Sack, chief of Sipekne'katik First Nation.
In a statement from New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs, he asks New Brunsickers to reflect on their history on July 1, adding residents can be both a proud Canadian, while recognizing injustices that have taken place.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Documents reveal Ottawa's efforts to get Loblaw, Walmart on board with grocery code
It was evident to the federal government as early as last fall that Loblaw and Walmart might be holdouts to the grocery code of conduct, jeopardizing the project's success.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Improve balance and build core strength with this exercise
When it comes to cardiovascular fitness, you may tend to focus on activities that move you forward, such as walking, running and cycling.
New Norad commander calls Canada's defence policy update 'very encouraging'
American troops will be spending more time training in the Far North, the new commander of Norad says, a strategy that fits 'hand-in-glove' with Canada's renewed focus on Arctic defence.
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.