Those out for a stroll in Couchiching Beach Park on Thursday evening might have thought they’d stumbled upon a big family reunion under the Biindigen Pavilion.
That is, essentially, what it was, said Winona Elliott.
Elliott works with the Orillia Native Women’s Group, which teamed up with the Biminaawzogin Regional Aboriginal Women's Circle (BRAWC) to put on a celebration to mark National Indigenous Peoples Day.
“It’s a time to come together and acknowledge each other and our history and our future, too,” Elliott said. “This is our way, as organizations, to honour our community members.”
As Elliott welcomed visitors, she told them every day should be Indigenous Peoples Day. She later elaborated on the comment.
“It speaks to our resiliency that we’re still here. We’ve been here since time immemorial, through hardships, trauma. We’re still here. We’re full of love and strength.”
Those in attendance were feeling the love. The drumming and singing group Coldwater Ojibways provided the soundtrack as visitors enjoyed a barbecue dinner, games and other activities.
“It’s a sense of community and belonging,” said Ashley Abotossaway. “Some people are new to the area and they don’t know what happens in the area.”
Thursday’s celebration was a good introduction for those folks, she said.
The annual celebration of Indigenous peoples is becoming more relevant each year, said BRAWC executive director Candace Hawke.
“With the Truth and Reconciliation Commission that’s come forth, celebrating Indigenous people and having this level of community awareness is really about acceptance that Indigenous people were the first people,” she said. “It’s really about celebration of the culture and the people.”
