Kana'ta: Halifax celebrates Indigenous culture and traditions for Canada Day
The return of Halifax's Canada Day celebrations honoured the first people on the lands now known as Nova Scotia. The city of Halifax hosted an event called 'Kana'ta' – the Iroquois word for 'village' – that can also mean 'community.'
"So this year it gave us an opportunity to really rethink, reimagine, and really refocus what Canada Day could be and could look like," said Cheryl Copage-Gehue, the municipality’s Indigenous community engagement advisor.
Copage-Gehue says she consulted with Indigenous community members and knowledge-keepers to develop the event.
The idea, she says, was to share the cultural traditions of the Indigenous communities ancestral to the region. From the ancient Mi'kmaq game of waltes, to Inuit throat singing, Kana’ta wasn’t just a showcase Indigenous arts and music, but also evidence of their survival.
"That our culture is really still strong," said Dora Takatak, of the Atelihai Inuit program at the Mi’kmaw Friendship Centre.
"Although those residential schools and day schools were there to eradicate the culture, we’re still here and we'res till strong," adds Frances Palliser-Nicholas, also of Atelihai Inuit.
"I know some Indigenous communities are not fully supportive of recognizing this day, but I see this an opportunity to create more understanding of the day, but I see this as an opportunity to create more understanding of the Indigenous culture that's here, the first people of this territory and this land," said Copage-Gehue.
Such efforts to create understanding, says Copage-Gehue, don't have to end on Canada Day.
"So if you have a chance, if you're in Cape Breton this weekend, go to the Eskasoni Powwow that’s starting tomorrow, they're so open for everybody to come and experience our culture, our history, our language," said Copage-Gehue.
Kana'ta celebrations continued on Halifax’s Grand Parade Friday evening, with a special lineup of Indigenous musical performances.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Golf season a summer tourism driver in Canada
Golf is a sign of spring and summer and a major driver for seasonal tourism, experts say.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
The kids from 'Mrs. Doubtfire are all SUPER grown up now, and we're not OK
The adorable trio of child actors from the 1993 classic comedy 'Mrs. Doubtfire,' which starred the late and great Robin Williams, are all grown up and looking back on their seminal time together.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.