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
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Snowbirds in Vancouver for puck-drop flyby as Canucks face Oilers
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be performing a flyover across downtown Vancouver at the start of tonight's Stanley Cup playoff game between the Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.