Indigenous Peoples Day marked with sunrise ceremony in Wilmot, plus events across the region

By Amanda Nelson

Wilmot Township will mark National Indigenous Peoples Day, which is on June 21, with a sunrise ceremony on July 1 at 7 a.m. at Norm Hill Park, 251 Jacob St., New Hamburg, as part of the township’s Canada Day celebrations.

The ceremony will be led by an Elder and Firekeeper from Crow Shield Lodge. It is sponsored by Wilmot Township and the Wilmot Indigenous Relations Interfaith Working Group (formerly the Wilmot Ecumenical Working Group on Indigenous Relations).

All are welcome to attend. Organizers recommend participants bring a lawn chair and dress for the weather.

While Wilmot does not have additional dedicated programming planned this year, residents have several opportunities to take part in National Indigenous Peoples Day and National Indigenous History Month events throughout Waterloo Region.

On Saturday, July 11, the Grand River Water Ceremony will take place at 8 a.m. at the Otterbein Kayak Launch in Kitchener. Participants are encouraged to wear ceremonial regalia if they choose and bring drums or shakers. More information is available at www.grandriverwaterwalk.com.

The University of Waterloo will host a National Indigenous Peoples Day celebration on June 23 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Student Life Centre Great Hall. The event will feature a sacred fire, Elders' prayer, Indigenous arts market, live music and Indigenous-themed food. All are welcome to attend this inclusive event.

Waterloo Public Library is marking National Indigenous History Month throughout June with reading lists, educational resources and programming highlighting Indigenous cultures and history. Registration and details are available at www.wpl.ca.

Featured programming at the library includes an Indigenous Food Tasting Workshop with Chef Destiny Moser of FoodZen and Cedar Spoon on Wednesday, June 24, from 7-8 p.m. at the John M. Harper Branch. Participants will learn about Indigenous ingredients while enjoying Three Sisters Soup and Wild Rice Salad.

National Indigenous Peoples Day programming will be featured as part of the Kitchener-Waterloo Multicultural Festival taking place June 20 and 21 from noon to 8 p.m. at Victoria Park in Kitchener. Activities will include Indigenous music, dance, storytelling, cultural workshops and community-led experiences.

Festivalgoers can participate in traditional drumming workshops, soapstone carving, moccasin stencilling activities and demonstrations on Indigenous crafts, including beading and medicine pouch making. A Sacred Fire, hosted by Crow Shield Lodge, will be maintained throughout the weekend, while opening ceremonies will be led by Clarence Cachagee of Chapleau Cree First Nation through prayer, song and smudging. Musical performances will include First Nations artist Natalie Martin and her band, Natalie and the Sarcastic Onions.

For those seeking national programming, CBC will mark June 21 with a full day of Indigenous-led content across television, radio and digital platforms. The broadcast will include documentaries, music, interviews and storytelling featuring First Nations, Inuit and Métis voices.