Treaty Day celebrations take place in Nova Scotia
Many Indigenous communities in Nova Scotia were celebrating Treaty Day on Saturday, marking the first day of Mi’kmaq History Month.
For Crystal Glode, it’s her first time presenting a harvesting demonstration of porcupine quill, an old craft and tradition practiced by the Mi’kmaq community, for Treaty Day.
“I won’t be able to do this forever, but it would be nice to know that I taught as much as I know,” Glode said.
Among many presenters to honour and celebrate Indigenous treaties, organizers planned a day of teaching and fun for youth, starting with lessons on treaty rights.
“They should know who they are, where they come from, why we have these treaties and how hard our ancestors fought to have what we have,” said Eldon Paul.
Paul said it’s not just important for Indigenous youth to learn about treaties, but also non-Indigenous youth as well.
“It’s to have some of that respect and for [non-Indigenous] youth to say, ‘that’s what they are fighting for,’ and to just step out of the way and maybe get behind us and say, ‘I understand,’” said Paul.
History lessons on waterways and cultural practices from pre-European contact are also taught.
“These rivers and waterways are still embossed in the culture, despite the challenged that they may have faced through all the difficult times. The culture is still alive and in the memory,” said Roger Lewis.
With much of the Mi’kmaq language unspoken by the First Nation, Saturday’s teachings also include the language that they want to revive.
“The word for ‘milky way’ translated means to spirit roads and talks about how our ancestors travel the spirit road and gives us insight on our spirituality,” said Curtis Michael.
Normally, Treaty Day festivities include gatherings in Halifax, with various events reflecting the beliefs of the Mi’kmaq people. However, with many in the province still without power, Treaty Day celebrations have been postponed until further notice.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Security guard shot, seriously injured outside of Drake's Toronto mansion
A security guard working at Drake’s Bridle Path mansion in Toronto was seriously injured in a shooting outside the residence early Tuesday morning.
King Charles too busy to see son Prince Harry during U.K. trip
Prince Harry will not be seeing his father King Charles during his current visit to Britain as the monarch will be too busy, Harry's spokesperson said on Tuesday.
Your body needs these three forms of movement every week
Movement is movement, right? Not exactly. Here’s what your body is looking for in addition to your morning walk or yoga session, according to experts.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
Canadian cadets rock mullets and place second at U.S. military competition
Sporting mullets, Canadian Armed Forces officer cadets placed second in an annual military skills competition in the U.S.
The Met Gala was in full bloom with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling among the standout stars
The Met Gala and its fashionista A-listers on Monday included Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and a parade of others in a swirl of flora and fauna looks on a green-tinged carpet lined by live foliage.
Quebec to limit sperm donations per donor after 3 men from same family father hundreds of children
Quebec is looking at tightening the regulations around sperm donation in the province following the release of a documentary that revealed three men from the same family fathered hundreds of children.
How to overcome 'savings guilt' when you're living paycheque to paycheque
As the higher cost of living continues to squeeze household budgets, many Canadians find they have even less left over at the end of every month to squirrel away for the future.
There's actually no such thing as vegetables. Here's why you should eat them anyway
The rumours are true: Vegetables aren't real — that is, in botany, anyway. While the term fruit is recognized botanically as anything that contains a seed or seeds, vegetable is actually a broad umbrella term.