“Do you need to know where you have been, to understand where you are going?”

Celebrating National Indigenous Peoples Day: Honouring Indigenous Contributions, Diversity, History, and Resiliency

Today is a special day, a day to recognize the extensive contributions, celebrate the rich diversity, understand the history, and most importantly, acknowledge the resilience of Indigenous Peoples across Turtle Island. For many Canadians, National Indigenous Peoples Day (NIPD) is a day to both celebrate and recognize the rich diversity and cultures of Indigenous Peoples, their contributions to Canada, and acknowledge the history of and resiliency of Indigenous Peoples in Canada.?

When I think about commemorative dates related to Indigenous Peoples, such as NIPD, the National Day for Truth & Reconciliation, Red Dress Dress Day, Louis Riel Day, Sisters in Sister, Ribbon Skirt Day, etc. - I reflect on a question that was posed to my MBA cohort at Simon Fraser University in Indigenous Business & Leadership during our first week of program.?

“Do you need to know where you have been, to understand where you are going?”

Our team debated the pros and cons of each side and we ultimately determined that yes, it is important to understand the history, to understand the path forward. So what exactly is NIPD and how did it come to fruition??

National Aboriginal Day, now National Indigenous Peoples Day, was announced in 1996 by then Governor General of Canada, Roméo LeBlanc, through the Proclamation Declaring June 21 of Each Year as National Aboriginal Day. This was the result of consultations and statements of support for such a day made by various Indigenous groups. According to the Government of Canada:?

• In 1982, the National Indian Brotherhood, now the Assembly of First Nations, called for the creation of National Aboriginal Solidarity Day
• In 1995, the Sacred Assembly, a national conference of Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, called for a national holiday to celebrate the contributions of Indigenous Peoples
• In 1995, the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples recommended the designation of a National First Peoples Day

On June 21, 2017, the Prime Minister issued a statement announcing the intention to rename this day to National Indigenous Peoples Day.?

This provides a little context from a Western worldview as it relates to NIPD.?

From an Indigenous worldview, Indigenous Nations for generations have been celebrating our unique cultures on June 21st because of the significance that summer solstice has with our communities across Turtle Island.

My personal view holds profound meaning for me as it is deeply rooted in the invaluable lessons and wisdom imparted by my late-father, Chief Patrick Twinn. He would always talk about how the summer solstice was a time of celebration as it symbolizes a new season when the land truly comes to fruition with all of its natural beauty, gifts and life. Growing up on the Sawridge First Nation, in the Treaty 8 Territory within Northern Alberta was often associated with fishing with my brothers and my father, spending time on the land, and of course, like all young boys do, getting into mischief with my Indigenous and non-Indigenous friends.?

My father, as a young Chief, believed that First Nations had an economic problem. His mission was to fix that and he gave everything to that mission. This started with the first Sawridge Motor Hotel in 1972 in our ancestral territory now known as the town, Slave Lake. About 10 years later, a parcel of land was acquired from Parks Canada; the tradition of hospitality continued with the construction of its second hotel in the Jasper National Park. Today, the Sawridge consists of various real estate holdings, retail and service businesses, partnerships and a Best Western Plus located in Fort McMurray.?

Later in life, my father realized that the real challenge was spiritual. Colonialism had undoubtedly impacted the traditional way of life for Indigenous Peoples in Canada and across the globe. He loved this Nation, his people, his family, his community, his friends, Indigenous Peoples, our traditional way of life, the Nehiyaw (Cree) language, the earth and all of the beautiful things it offered. The little time he spent on himself was spent simply relishing in these things. His love was not passive, but deeply rooted - it rose strongly in defense of all the things he valued.?

My father was not defined by his office, his position, his accomplishments, or even his contributions. He was defined by his spirit, an extraordinary energetic and courageous, gentle and giving spirit, which moved all the things he created and touched. He was a warrior for his people, his family and others who were in need. He put his body and mind in the way of harm, knowing fully what was coming. He was our leader, our father, husband, brother, cousin, friend, our chief, our inspiration. His spirit calls us to unite, hand in hand, within our radiant surroundings. He left us to continue in our daily acts of creation, for creation is continuous, constant participation of all creatures in the being of the creator. He wants us to make our houses strong, our people strong and communities strong, together.?

For the Treaty 8 Nations, June 21st also marks the date of signatory in 1899 to Treaty between the Kinosayo Nations (now known as the 5 First Nations of Kapawe'no, Sucker Creek, Driftpile, Swan River and Sawridge) and the Queen of England - which marks the 125th anniversary. My great-grandfather, Charles Neesotasis was one of the five original signatories to Treaty 8 along with Felix Giroux, Moostoos, Wee Chee Way Sis, and Chief Kinosayo. Our ancestors agreed to this treaty and its terms for reasons of peace and friendship - ensuring what they thought would be a true partnership built on reciprocity. Unfortunately, from a Western worldview, Treaties were often utilized as a guise for land. A hidden agenda for Indigenous Peoples to ‘surrender’ or ‘cede’ title to the land while the federal government was simultaneously working on various forms of federal assimilation policies through the Indian Act and other instruments to suppress our culture, our governance, and ultimately our socio-economic self-determination.?

The world is not linear - it is circular. I believe the same for life, and one day we will all leave his earth and move into another world. Our legacies can live on, and the impacts we create can be non-perishable, but it has to be built correctly, as foretold by Indigenous worldviews of partnership built on reciprocity, trust, respect, kindness, honesty, courage and wisdom.?

Kinanaskomitin (I am grateful to you all)?

“Do all your work as though you had a thousand years to live on Earth, and as would if you knew you must die tomorrow” Senator Walter Patrick Twinn, Chief of the Sawridge First Nation: March 29, 1934 - October 30, 1997.?