National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations in Red Deer in 2017. (rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

june 21

National Indigenous Peoples Day takes on more meaning this year

Jun 18, 2020 | 2:45 PM

Local Indigenous leaders feel this year’s National Indigenous Peoples Day (NIDP), which takes place Sunday, June 21, takes on more meaning in light of current events.

Lianne Hazel with the Red Deer Native Friendship Society says Sunday should, and will, be about celebrating Indigenous culture, but that it’s hard not to acknowledge the current conversation about racism.

“We want a message out there of resilience. We’re in the midst of COVID-19 and we could’ve cancelled everything, but people will see that National Indigenous Peoples Day is definitely not being cancelled,” says Hazel.

“Systemic racism is historical in Canada. Need we look further than missing and murdered Indigenous women? We have a really good relationship with Red Deer RCMP and they’re open to working with us so we can teach each other about our jobs and how we can work together more effectively.”

Hazel says it was disheartening to hear RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki and Alberta RCMP Deputy Commissioner Curtis Zablocki say there was no systemic racism within their ranks. Both have since retracted their statements.

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“I thought immediately about Senator Murray Sinclair, one of my heroes,” Hazel continues, alluding to the March police incident in Fort McMurray involving Fort Chipewyan Chief Allan Adam. “Sinclair has said how good it would be if police were required to have de-escalation training. For us, it’s about not knowing what’s motivating people to be so angry. De-escalation training would support them to be positive during interactions with people, regardless of race.”

Tanya Schur with Red Deer’s Urban Aboriginal Voices Society says society is at a tipping point with systemic racism, but Indigenous voices have been taking politicians to task about this for decades.

“This year is another wonderful opportunity to raise awareness of Indigenous culture and its contributions to the Canadian economy and to Canada’s culture, but also to create opportunities for people to increase their ability to sit through difficult conversations,” says Schur.

“Intercultural competency and being able to support and understand cultural differences happens on a continuum. These huge amounts of protests have moved a whole group of people to the next level along that continuum towards accepting and valuing differences.”

Should National Indigenous Peoples Day be a stat holiday?

Formally recognized by the federal government for the first time in 1996, National Aboriginal Day underwent a name change in 2017 to National Indigenous Peoples Day.

Since, some have discussed making either June 21 or Orange Shirt Day (Sept. 30) a statutory holiday.

“There is a real difference between remembering and commemorating the children who went to residential school — something rooted in colonization and a painful part of our country’s history — and celebrating the contribution and beauty of the Indigenous cultures (Métis, Inuit and First Nations) in this country,” says Schur.

“The short answer is yes, but it’s a really complex question. People want to be able to live their lives culturally where they are, and one day a year is not going to make meaningful change happen. We should have two days, if you’re asking me, in a month or in the year that honour our story.”

“I think it’s a great idea,” adds Hazel. “It would mean politicians and people of influence recognize our history and the importance of Indigenous peoples.”

What’s happening Sunday?

Virtual celebrations are happening across the country, including in Red Deer.

They will be streamed on the Urban Aboriginal Voices Society Facebook page, the Red Deer Aboriginal Dance Troupe YouTube channel, and broadcast on SHAW Cable. Festivities begin at 9 a.m.

Among other things, there will be workshops on bannock-making, Métis finger weaving, and tipis, along with three short films.

“A fundamental part of our worldview is being together with community and sharing culture, and despite everything, that is still a priority for Indigenous communities,” says Schur. “As soon as we can start meeting again safely, it is the community’s intention to host an event to bring us together and further peace and understanding.”

Schur encourages residents to visit the UAVS website and register for ongoing anti-discrimination and anti-racism training.