Prince George Celebrates National Aboriginal Day
The Khast’an Drum Group during National Aboriginal Day celebrations today at Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park – photos 250News
Prince George, B.C. – Hundreds of people have gathered at Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park to celebrate National Aboriginal Day today.
The festival-like atmosphere includes vendors, crafts, and live entertainment.
It’s also a time for some to reflect.
“I suppose myself reflecting on this day I think it’s a transition of our relationship between the settler communities and also the government where over the last year we’re realizing all the issues that are plaguing aboriginal people and are still there for many people,” says Carrier Sekani Tribal Chief Terry Teegee.
NDP MLA Carole James
“So I think in light of the Truth and Reconciliation Report and in light of the many issues, like today, still advocating for missing and murdered women, and the realization of an actual inquiry, I think what we’re going to find is the truth.”
He says part of that truth includes acknowledging the fact aboriginal people were already here for hundreds if not thousands of years prior to Confederation.
“So to me we’re reconciling those differences and rather than essentially building walls we’re building new relationships where we can all co-exist and have a celebration of our differences.”
NDP MLA Carole James, who in the past worked for Carrier Sekani Family Services, says it’s also a time to celebrate the progress that’s been made.
“I certainly feel that we’ve come a long way. Certainly a long way even from the time I first lived in Prince George to see this kind of turnout for a National Aboriginal Day,” says James.
“To have the park renamed and to see the mix of people who are here. This isn’t just a day for aboriginal people, this is a day for all of the community to celebrate.”
She also feels with the recent Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s recommendations, there’s a blue print in place moving forward.
“To continue real reconciliation, to continue the real work that needs to be done to make sure that kids are learning about the history of aboriginal people in school so that it’s not something they learn afterwards, it’s something that becomes part of the curriculum.”
Comments
It will always be Fort George park to me. I might have gone to see some of he celebrations today but………………I had to work
If First Nation A lived in an area and all the elk moved to a different area so they followed the Elk and displaced First Nation B who lived where the Elk went. Who do we pay for using the resources. FN B that was there first or FN A who pushed them out.
Perhaps we should refer to the treaties that were negotiated and respect those?
Exactly. The here first argument is weak at best and confuses the issue. The fact the BRITISH signed treaties is the defining issue . Treaties Canada is legally obligated to honour.
Let them celebrate what they want..the rest of us do.. St Patrick’s day, Guy fox etc.. It means no more or less than any other day of the like.
Teegees says “I think what we’re going to find is the truth.”
I can’t help but wonder what he might have to say when he realizes that truthfully the vast majority of violence against aboriginal women comes at the hand of aboriginal men?
Violence in all of it’s many forms needs to be addressed. Sometimes that requires looking in the mirror instead of outside the window!
And the vast majority of violence against non-aboriginal women are at the hands of non-aboriginal men, stunner… so did you want to tell us something we didn’t know?
JGalt, tell us something we didn’t know?
It seems to me that aboriginal peoples, especially their leadership, are more than willing to lay blame for violence against them at the feet of everybody but themselves.
I suggest that if aboriginal peoples want to address the issue of reducing violence against them, perhaps they might wish to first address the largest source of the violence, themselves!
Sorry that you aren’t able to comprehend that!
And the vast majority of violence against East Indian women comes at the hands of East Indian men… stunner… did you want to reveal something we didn’t know? If you are hearing a echo here, it might be from that empty space between your ears.
On a Tuesday? The only people who could possibly attend have no jobs I guess?
And that goes for Carole James I guess also. Hopefully the tax payers in Victoria aren’t too peesed at her, for spending “their tax payers money” for her coming up here for a photo-op. Hopefully her and Mayor Hall enjoyed the Bannock.
look at all the bleeding heart NDP downvoting the comments. ‘DDDDon’t say that about CAROL! She is just like us!!!!”
According to some on Facebook, they were handing out “goodie bags” with condoms, lube, instructions on how to perform oral sex, etc. To 12 year olds. The condoms I can understand but instructions?
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