National Indigenous Peoples Day

In Canada, every June 21 is recognized as “National Indigenous Peoples Day” (formerly “National Aboriginal Day”)…for Onkwehón:we (original peoples) this is every day!

Our mindset has never changed, though it has occasionally become blurred by elements keeping us from our traditional ways & thoughts. Now, more than ever, we must concentrate on these important parts of our culture for ourselves, our families, our lands & waters – our very existence depends on it.

The following quotes are most appropriate to this end. The first one is from the great Shawnee leader Tecumseh 1768-1813), who sought to join all First Nations against a common threat – and in The War of 1812 fought and died at The Battle of The Thames (in Ontario) defending this nation against invaders. The second is from Jode Kechego (b. 1968), a young Canadian film maker of both Anishinaabe & Haudenosaunee cultures.

 

Brothers, Sisters, we all belong to one family; we are all children of the Great Spirit; we walk in the same path; slake our thirst at the same spring; and now affairs of the greatest concern lead us to smoke the pipe around the same council fire!Tecumseh, Shawnee - to to the Osage Nation, 1811
Today we will make our ancestors proud. We will put aside our differences, we will subside our personal issues and we will come together in unity for each other and for our future. Today the drum will beat and we will stand together as one. Today we will not be angry, but we will be loud, we will not be happy, but we will be proud. Today is not about pain or disdain, today is about language, culture and identity, today is about our past, present and our future – today we welcome the sun, the wind and the rain.Jode Kechego, Anishnabek/Haudenosaunee

The Covenant Chain Wampum – The Niagara Treaty of 1764