Indigenous performers head to the Halifax waterfront for Canada Day
HALIFAX, NS — The Halifax waterfront came alive with cultural celebrations despite some fog and drizzle on Saturday.
Youth dancers, singers and performers from First Nations groups performed along the boardwalk.
Since last year, the council has been working on overhauling Canada Day celebrations and incorporating Indigenous events and activities into the mix.
Indigenous community engagement consultant Cheryl Copage-Gehue said changes have been made to better reflect the communities living in Halifax.
“Indigenous people don’t normally like to celebrate Canada Day because it didn’t reflect or appeal to the Indigenous experience around it…it’s not getting rid of Canada Day history, but it does accommodate people who don’t necessarily see themselves earlier in these events,” she said.
Mi’kmaw singer Morgan Toney followed up the opening with a unique musical performance, combining songs in the Mi’kmaq language with energetic Cape Breton fiddle shredding. Audience members young and old stood up and danced in a circle to the tunes of the Mi’kmaq folk songwriter.
“We’re just trying to show the world the amazing culture of the Mi’kmaq people, all the positivity that comes with our teachings… it’s all a history lesson,” Toney said in an interview.
“It’s really remarkable to see everyone come out — children, the elderly, families, everyone — to come and listen to what we have to say.”
A pop-up cultural village served as a microcosm of indigenous communities and their art. Vendors sold clothes and homemade paintings, and children were invited to join in the crafting.
Halifax MP Andy Fillmore and Halifax Mayor Mike Savage opened the celebrations, acknowledging Canada’s colonial history.
“Today is a time to listen. It’s a moment to learn. It’s a time to take action; action to right the wrongs of our past,” Fillmore said in his opening statement.
Many other musical acts were scattered across waterfront stages, including St. Lucia DJ and rapper Kayo, local up-and-coming country artist Joe Henry, and Quebec rock duo Twin Flames.
In addition to the Indigenous events that take place on the waterfront, the Royal Canadian Air Force has set up interactive displays so that children and adults alike can sit in the cockpit of a CF18 fighter jet.
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds were expected to operate over Halifax Harbor, but were grounded that day due to heavy fog covering the harbor.
Captain Thomas Thornton said the minimum height required for their lowest flying show was 300 feet. With the fog on Canada Day, they only had a ceiling of about 200 feet.
“Any time we can’t put on our show, it’s disappointing for us, and of course for the people who spend their time coming to see it,” he said.
On the other side of the harbor, the thunderous sound of drums rattled across the Dartmouth waterfront for the seventh annual Canada Day drumming celebration, celebrating immigrant communities in the province.
Copage-Gehue acknowledged that Indigenous events were “a little bit smaller” as many Indigenous speakers and talents were busy preparing for the upcoming North American Indigenous games. She hopes future Kana’ta Day events can be bigger and include interactive events with native speakers to help people with questions learn more about their culture, language and history.
