Events across the country June 21 celebrated the 30th National Indigenous Peoples Day (NIPD), honouring the culture, histories and contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people.
The Cree Health Board emphasized that Cree culture was thriving long before there was a day to celebrate it, “built through interwoven layers that exist together at once. Each layer carries its own meaning, yet none exist on their own. Together they tell the story of who we are, where we come from and how we continue to carry our identity forward from generation to generation.”
At the Cree Nation’s Wachiya store in Old Montreal, Cree artist Deborah Ratt and Algonquin artist George Nottaway demonstrated traditional crafts while visitors were treated to Indigenous food tastings.
The annual solstice ceremony by the city’s riverside marked the 325th anniversary of the signing of the Great Peace of Montreal. Signed in 1701, this treaty ended decades of warfare between the Iroquois, allies of the English, and New France’s allied First Nations.
Over 1,300 delegates from 39 First Nations arrived for a week of discussions over sharing hunting territories, releasing captives and trading freely. The turning point was a convincing speech by Huron-Wendat Grand Chief Kondiaronk, who died the next day of illness.
“Montreal became the main spot for the fur trade after the signature of the treaty,” said André Dudemaine, co-founder of event organizer Land InSights. “The delegates coming from all over North America were as nervous as the population, each one with their best regalia. The event would have certainly been something special for those who were there.”
Following offerings to the ceremonial fire, traditional drumming and dances, and speeches about the day’s significance, the procession walked to the Pointe-à-Callière Archaeological Museum, where an original copy of the signed treaty is on display until September 20.
The overcast morning turned brilliantly sunny for the solstice ceremony at high noon. After honouring “Elder Brother” sun as part of the Deer Family Dancers, the rain returned as Kahnawake Elder Kan’ahsohon Kevin Deer approached downtown’s Cabot Square for the annual NIPD concerts.
Native Women’s Shelter executive director Na’kuset has organized the musical event for more than a decade. “I told Na’kuset that as we would begin the ceremonial opening the natural cosmic forces would hear our voices and the sky will clear up,” Deer shared. “Sure enough, the rain stopped and we received a beautiful rainbow over our event.”
Na’kuset said they waited until the last minute with fingers crossed. After a short delay, Deer addressed the soggy crowd without amplification, declaring the rain a gift from Mother Earth.
“The next group on were the Manitou Singers,” recalled Na’kuset. “They said we don’t need electricity for the big drum. Then Moontee Sinquah showed up and said, ‘I can dance in the rain.’ He performed and the rain stopped, so halfway through he was able to use the microphone and talk to the audience.”
While the disruption in electricity led to Kris Kinokewin’s cancellation, the final three acts were able to plug in. Anishinaabe singer-songwriter Leonard Sumner performed his blues-rap-country fusion ahead of Linda Saddleback and Willie Thrasher. Fredericton-based collective The Hello Crows closed the show.
Thrasher is a legendary figure in Indigenous music, having formed one of the first Inuit rock bands and composed the enduring hit “Wolves Don’t Live by the Rules”, later covered by super-fan Elisapie. Hello Crows member Quinn Bonnell was excited to discuss Thrasher’s former collaboration with Mi’kmaq musical trailblazer Willie Dunn.
“It was interesting to hear how their paths crossed so I was eager to hear some stories,” Bonnell told the Nation. “The advice he got from Willie Dunn was that it’s important for you to keep playing music and telling your stories. It’s such a cool thing to be told.”
The Hello Crows has been a safe space for the band’s four songwriters to share stories about their Indigenous identity since playing together on the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. They realized the group’s power with early composition “Come Back to Me”, which won best song at last year’s Music New Brunswick awards.
“Music being medicine, we’re more than excited to share when we have a chance,” said Bonnell. “Our experience at Cabot Square was awesome. It felt good to be celebrated, to connect, and see some other Indigenous folks out. We hope to be there more often.”
With beading and soapstone carving workshops in the background, Na’kuset and her co-hosts led the festivities in English, French and Inuktitut. Since POP Montreal began collaborating with the event six years ago, its setup and funding have gone much more smoothly.
“I used to find my own funding from the city, which didn’t give a lot of money,” Na’kuset said. “People like Leonard Sumner or the Sinquah Family [Hoop Dancers] all live very far away. The Sinquah Family comes from Arizona every year and they’re amazing.”
Another reason to celebrate was the long-anticipated opening of Resilience Montreal’s “ridiculously beautiful” new home on June 17. Co-founded by Na’kuset and David Chapman in 2019, Resilience is a day shelter serving the local unhoused community, many of whom are Indigenous.
Located close to Cabot Square, the new three-storey building was meticulously designed in collaboration with its Indigenous clientele and nearby residents to create a healing environment that meets daily needs while providing dignity and purpose.
A fireplace-equipped healing room is designed like a longhouse while members of the Inuit community are creating a beaded chandelier and painting the sleeping room’s ceiling to resemble the northern lights.
“If you’re on the streets all night, as soon as you walk in you already feel calmer,” said Na’kuset. “There’s just something about the space that soothes people. You have a clean space to sleep and the showers are beautiful. You feel you’re in a five-star hotel.”
Cree musician Siibii performed at the inauguration as guests marvelled at the building’s cedar bath, heated terrasse, soundproofed “screaming rooms” for processing trauma, and immense kitchen, which serves over 1,200 meals daily. The laundry room is a key feature, allowing residents to maintain their clothing and providing one of many return-to-work opportunities, where they’re paid in cash each day.
Resilience proactively addressed neighbours’ concerns with community mediators and a hotline for non-emergency issues. A range of health and support services are available, including a health clinic, psychiatrist, addiction resources and even a sexual assault investigation room where victims can confidentially report to police.
“Tell me what other shelter does that,” Na’kuset challenged. “We want other shelters to step it up. The whole idea of grubby shelters in church basements with granola bars is not working. The more people that see it, the more people will want to be part of the solution.”