One of the most prominent aspects of Canada history is its rich Aboriginal culture. Having lived on the continent for thousands of years, the Aboriginal Canadians have upheld the Oral tradition of storytelling to relate past events and pass them down through time.
Aboriginal dance, traditional foods, storytelling, the drum, are all key parts of a truly rich culture which tell stories such as the creation of the world. Traditional dress is a beautiful way of creative expression, amazing, brightly colored clothing are generally handmade and decorated with quills, beads, and other significant sacred objects and sparkling symbols in a traditional fashion. The full dress can weigh more than 100 pounds when complete. Ceremonial rituals, some for seasonal changes or social events, may include native chants and song with drumming circles. The drum represents the heartbeat of Mother Earth.
Aboriginal art reflects the nature and daily activities around this community. Animal spirits, flowers, and hunting scenes are all common in traditional works. Modern art still has threads of their original culture, but displays more of the artist’s soul, while often addressing modern issues. Beadwork, leather, dream catchers and carvings are all handmade. The medicine wheel is an ancient symbol that reflects values, world views and practices.
The Teepee, symbolic of an ancient dwelling or lodge representing “our home” is a part of the Aboriginal culture with meaning and filled with traditional knowledge. Today, traditional teepees are generally reserved for special festivities and informational purposes. A majority of the lessons and history is passed from elders to children through story. Each tribe has its own language unique to their area.
We celebrate National Aboriginal Day on June 21st. The day marks a very important day for all Aboriginal peoples. National Aboriginal Day is a time to celebrate Aboriginal culture, to demonstrate to others what makes First Nations, Métis, and Inuit cultures special.
Edmonton is home to the second largest urban Aboriginal population in Canada. The Aboriginal people in Edmonton have roots that are deeply sown and well-traveled throughout the whole of the City and extend from the past through the present, and will continue well into the future.
One of the major components of the EFCL’s recent cultural integration project is to work with the city’s Aboriginal population, the first inhabitant of the land, and invite them to be part of their local community League and promote their league to Aboriginal population. The EFCL would like to see Aboriginal music, games and festivals played on the community leagues grounds and facilities. The Federation is ready to partner and work collaboratively with the City, Community Leagues, and Aboriginal resources in the City to revitalize Aboriginal people interest in Community League programs and activities.
Towards this goal on June 29, the EFCL invited Wanda Rickett, a Social Worker with extensive work experience with the Aboriginal population, and Andre, an Aboriginal rights advocate, to discuss ways to promote community league membership to the Aboriginal population and create their interest in league programs and activities. During the meeting, Shahriyar explained the aim of the project and hoped for support from Aboriginal Leaders, rights advocates, volunteer groups and associations. Wanda and Andre offered their full support. EFCL is also looking for support and cooperation from Community League volunteers, social workers and other people for the project.
Let’s join Aboriginal community and elders, listen and share their stories - stories of the past; the stories of relationship and harmony. Let’s learn lessons from these stories. Weaving the lessons of the past into the future ensures that Aboriginal people traditions will continue to be a large part of Canadian culture. Let us take this opportunity to understand and share Aboriginal culture and learn the beauty and wisdom that makes Aboriginal people special.
“Anyone can be spiritual in a quiet room. But out in the world is where the challenge takes place. If you can learn to take the humility, gratitude and quietness you find in the medicine bowl ceremony out into the world, you can learn to live a principled life. When you learn to live a principled life you can learn to live spiritually. When you can learn to live spiritually you can find harmony with people. When you can learn to find harmony with people life itself becomes a ceremony and that, in the end, is what it’s all about, this Indian way, this journey.” from Richard Wagamese’s One Native Life: