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 NDP motion regarding Palestinian statehood passes after major Liberal alterations
A motion from the federal New Democrats initially calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine' passed amid widespread acrimony on Monday, after the Liberals drastically altered its wording to see the government simply work towards that aim as part of a two-state solution.
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.