Hundreds gather in Fredericton, N.B. for National Indigenous Peoples Day
Honouring Indigenous children whose lives were lost at residential schools was a big part of the National Indigenous Peoples Day in Fredericton on Monday.
Discussions centered on ally-ship and how Maritimers can work together to support their Indigenous communities.
"I think Indigenous people have our many battles to deal with, so if you're going to aid somebody in their battles then you're going to assist them and try to be Indigenous led and not try to take a leadership role. I think that's the most important thing to remember,” said Nipahtuwet Naka Wespahtuwet Possesom
For the Wolastoqey traditional Grand Chief, Monday is not about celebrating, but remembering.
"This is more of a reminder to the rest of Canada that the atrocities that's been occurring... So, it's not so much a celebration to me as it is to educate people," said Ron Tremblay.
Flags of First Nations were raised at the New Brunswick legislature for National Indigenous Peoples Day, but some say there is still work to be done.
"The government wants to be allies but I’m not sure they're there yet. They get into politics and they get into the legislative building because of you, because of all of you that vote for them and in order to ensure that they're hearing my voice and your voice and the children's voices is they have to be allies with us," said Allan Polchies, the chief St. Mary’s First Nation.
More than 150 Indigenous people and allies attended the event in New Brunswick’s capital Monday – with a lot of the discussion centered on why it was important to be there.
"Especially as white people it's important to be here to learn, to educate ourselves and to make efforts towards reconciliation in anyway we can and part of doing that work is showing up," said Kaelyn Merrithew.
The Wolastoqey Tribal Council is hoping to see more people call themselves allies in the future.
"We've noticed a shift in the political climate lately. There seems to be a lot of awareness growing about Indigenous issues and more people wanting to come out and help but not being comfortable asking difficult questions or knowing necessarily where to go for information," said Megan Fullarton.
The Wolastoqey Nation in New Brunswick launched an Ally Tool Kit on their website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING New York appeals court overturns Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction from landmark #MeToo trial
New York’s highest court on Thursday overturned Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction, finding the judge at the landmark #MeToo trial prejudiced the ex-movie mogul with improper rulings, including a decision to let women testify about allegations that weren’t part of the case.
BREAKING Monthly earnings rise, payroll employment falls: jobs report
The number of vacant jobs in Canada increased in February, while monthly payroll employment decreased in food services, manufacturing, and retail trade, among other sectors.
Doctors say capital gains tax changes will jeopardize their retirement. Is that true?
The Canadian Medical Association asserts the Liberals' proposed changes to capital gains taxation will put doctors' retirement savings in jeopardy, but some financial experts insist incorporated professionals are not as doomed as they say they are.
Remains from a mother-daughter cold case were found nearly 24 years later, after a deathbed confession from the suspect
A West Virginia father is getting some sense of closure after authorities found the remains of his young daughter and her mother following a deathbed confession from the man believed to have fatally shot them nearly two decades ago.
Something in the water? Canadian family latest to spot elusive 'Loch Ness Monster'
For centuries, people have wondered what, if anything, might be lurking beneath the surface of Loch Ness in Scotland. When Canadian couple Parry Malm and Shannon Wiseman visited the Scottish highlands earlier this month with their two children, they didn’t expect to become part of the mystery.
What do weight loss drugs mean for a diet industry built on eating less and exercising more?
Recent injected drugs like Wegovy and its predecessor, the diabetes medication Ozempic, are reshaping the health and fitness industries.
2 military horses that broke free and ran loose across London are in serious condition
Two military horses that bolted and ran miles through the streets of London after being spooked by construction noise and tossing their riders were in a serious condition and required operations, a British government official said Thursday.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
Fair in Ontario, flurries in Labrador: Weather systems make for an erratic spring
It's no secret that spring can be a tumultuous time for Canadian weather, and as an unseasonably mild El Nino winter gives way to summer, there's bound to be a few swings in temperature that seem out of the ordinary. From Ontario to the Atlantic, though, this week is about to feel a little erratic.