June 21 was Aboriginal Day across the country, but most people in Cochrane and the surrounding area probably had no idea.
Despite it being the 20th anniversary of the day that was introduced to recognize and honour our First Nations people and First Nations history, events celebrating the day were non-existent.
Those who were interested enough could have travelled to Calgary, Banff or Canmore to take in celebratory events but because it has yet to be designated a statutory holiday – except for the Northwest Territories – that might have proved difficult.
While the history of First Nations people in Alberta dates back centuries – long before the notion of this province existed – there are plenty of contemporary reasons to recognize our First People.
According to the provincial government, 220,700 Albertans self-identify as aboriginal, and this province is home to the third largest aboriginal population in Canada.
Alberta also has the only recognized Metis land base in Canada and eight Metis settlements with a combined population of 4,858 people. The 96,865 Metis people in Alberta is the largest Metis population in the country.
Over the years, both the federal and provincial governments have made efforts to recognize the damages done to First Nations people as results of colonization and residential schools. The federal Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s work to address the abuses caused during the residential school era; provincial and federal apologies; and the recent announcement that Alberta’s new school curriculum will make efforts to be more inclusive of First Nations issues are good steps toward healing the divide between aboriginal people and the rest of Canada.
But no amount of government money or programs can truly mend the divisions that exist in our society.
That is truly what makes Aboriginal Day such an important recognition. It is an opportunity to take time to learn about First Nations culture and history. The latter of which spans hundreds of years.
Cultural identity is important to all Canadians, aboriginal and non-aboriginal alike.
Not only does it provide a glimpse into a storied and rich culture and history that helped shaped the land we live in today, it helps build relationships and understanding.
For non-aboriginals that means tearing down stereotypes and developing empathy and encouraging support for people who are suffering from damages caused by decades of bad government policy.
For First Nations people it means a reconnection to their cultural identity, a chance to be proud of their heritage. That identity, which many of us take for granted, is vital to personal strength and self-esteem and unfortunately that was stripped from generations of aboriginal people.
That type of cultural genocide cannot be mended in a few short years – the last residential school closed in Saskatchewan in 1996 – using Aboriginal Day as an opportunity to build cultural pride in First Nations culture is a good first step to healing many of the pains and divisions that exist in Canada between our peoples.
