A full day of activities in Rama First Nation have been planned to bring the community together on National Indigenous Peoples Day today.
The celebration kicked off Wednesday morning at the John Snake Memorial Grounds where a sunrise ceremony was held at 5:30 a.m. That was followed by the popular canoe races at Ojibway Bay Marina. Winning the big race for the second year in a row was Cole Campbell and Tim Snache.
“We get the right row together,” Snache said. “We dig and get our paddles deep.”
The duo, both 28, say the canoe races are the best part of the National Indigenous Peoples Day festivities in Rama each year.
“It’s good to see the community come together each year,” Campbell said. “It’s always a good time.”
Once the canoe race champions were crowned, members of the community moved over to Rama Road where Rama First Nation Chief Ted Williams was leading the parade.
“It’s a big day for the community,” he said. “There are a lot of events going on and we are pretty pumped.”
Williams says the historic day of festivities was started nearly 40 years ago by the National Indian Brotherhood.
“It recognizes the history of the First Nations,” he said. “It recognizes our resilience and contributions to this land that we call Turtle Island.”
Williams says his favourite part of the day is seeing families coming together to have fun.
“It’s good for the youth to see this,” he said. “It’s always a good thing when people become more aware, and not just people from our own community, but the surrounding communities who participate as well.”
Rama resident Eddie St. Germaine was excited to be driving one of the floats in the parade on Wednesday morning.
“It’s all about community,” he said. “It’s about family and sharing in our history and culture.”
St. Germaine, 53, was thrilled to see another good turnout at this year’s parade.
“I love seeing all my friends and people I know,” he said. “It’s fun seeing the excitement of the kids who come down from the school to watch.”
First Nations Day celebrations in Rama conclude at dusk tonight in Victoria Park where there will be a special fireworks show.
