NATIONAL ABORIGINAL DAY – JUNE 21 - (JOURNÉE NATIONAL DES AUTOCHTONES) & SUMMER SOLSTICE CEREMONY

Presentation by Paul Tufts, President Association des Acadiens-Métis Souriquois (AAMS), at Rocco Point, Nova Scotia June 21, 2015.  Photographs by Howard Nickerson.

"Welcome to a celebration of National Aboriginal Day (Journée national des autochtones) and the Summer Solstice Ceremony."

"Long before 1996, Aboriginal Peoples celebrated their heritage on this day of the Summer Solstice, when the sun rises and falls during the longest day of the year. ​ ​"This celebration was often called a “Sunrise Ceremony” by the First Nations people who called themselves “people of the dawn”, who resided the farthest East, in the direction of the rising sun. The sun was revered and referred to as Grandfather Sun who shines on Mother Earth, to produce life. A Sunrise Ceremony should be performed at day  break, however the sun is still rising at 10:00 am.

​"In 1996, Canada’s Governor General, Romeo LeBlanc, proclaimed June 21 as National Aboriginal Day in commemoration of the diverse cultures, unique traditions and contributions  to Canada by its Aboriginal Peoples (First Nations, Inuit and Métis).