WHITEHORSE, Yukon – Pointing to a spot in the near distance, Grand Chief Ed
Schultz of the Council of Yukon First Nations welcomed all those who had
joined to participate in National Aboriginal Day.

“I’m glad this gathering takes place here because it holds a lot of meaning
for us,” said Schultz whose personal connection to the municipal park is
slightly stronger because his birthplace was only 300 yards away at the
hospital. “Today is a celebration of being Aboriginal and sharing with
others and more importantly to identify with the culture and recognizing
our contributions.”

Several hundred Yukoners congregated to watch the opening ceremonies under
the protective tent that was an oasis of shade during a brilliantly sunny,
cloudless day with temperatures topping 90 degrees in Whitehorse, the
territory’s capital. Since 1996, Canada has honored its Native citizens
with National Aboriginal Day on June 21 as First Nations communities
throughout the country organized public events to incorporate their
traditions and history through the use of food, dance and award
presentations.

The date was originally designated on the summer solstice because for many
tribes the longest day of the year represents growth with a bountiful
season ahead that holds many new beginnings. “New Beginning” was also the
chosen theme of the event in Whitehorse, which was hosting an affair for
its sixth year.

Though with the intent of looking forward, there was a reflection upon a
sordid chapter in Canadian Aboriginal history; the residential school. A
pencil drawing by artist Rayman Shorty was revealed that portrayed the
images of three faces in the heavens and in the center, a family.

Accompanying the presentation was a short song, “The Spirit Journey”,
composed by Phil Gatensby who played the hauntingly beautiful Lakota-style
flute. A residential school survivor, Gatensby consulted with the artist as
to what the community wanted to get across with the picture.

“What we wanted to make was a symbol of the family and that’s what we’re
trying to get back because it was hit so hard,” said Gatensby who was
inspired because of those who died while lawsuits were still pending.

The engraved plaque within the framed piece reads: “In honour of those who
suffered through the Residential School experience, whose voices were never
heard, we will not forget you.”

The art acted as a bridge between recent history and what hopes lie ahead
as identified by the “New Beginning” idea.

“We thought it was a good opportunity to unveil this painting as so many
Aboriginal people have suffered,” said Adeline Webber, president of the
Gathering of Traditions Potlatch Society, the organization that hosted the
event. “But we also have to move on.”

Shifting the focus of the agenda was an emphasis on the youth of the Yukon.
Numerous accolades were bestowed upon several Aboriginal athletes from
throughout the territory, including four recipients who were presented the
Tom Longboat award, a national program in honor of the Onondaga member who
won the 1907 Boston Marathon.

There was also public recognition of some of the members of the junior boys
and girls teams that participated at the 2004 Arctic Winter Games in Fort
McMurray, Alberta in March. Elder and Frog clan leader Sam Johnston
explained the meaning of some of the Dene traditional games that are often
contested in northern gatherings. Holding up a six-foot pole, the snow
snake is one of five contests with its origins in collecting food.

“All these games were part of survival. This one here was used for hunting
ptarmigan and it’s like a spear, sharpened at this end and is oiled to
slide,” Johnston said, though with the unusually hot weather, snow was the
farthest from people’s thoughts.

National Aboriginal Day provides a venue for visitors to also browse among
the many booths erected to promote community and governmental programs that
are assisting First Nations. Of particular local importance was the table
strewn with brochures and pamphlets detailing the tri-party agreement
between the federal, territorial and the Kwanlin Dun First Nation in
Whitehorse.

With 1,100 members, the Kwanlin Dun is the largest band in the territory
and has just completed a 30-year negotiation process towards its land claim
agreement. A vote to accept or reject the agreement is expected to occur in
late November and a fourth party, the Kwanlin Dun ratification office,
acting in neutrality, has the responsibility of disseminating the
information to those members who live in Whitehorse.

More than 1,000 sq. km. (400 sq. mi.) throughout the city and southern
Yukon including traditional lands and $35 million (Cdn.) is at stake with
this agreement. Also part of this settlement is a four-acre tract of land
in the heart of the Whitehorse that would be transferred to First Nations’
ownership immediately.

“One of the possibilities that can happen is we can have our own lands on
the waterfront and we can have our own National Aboriginal Day on our
land,” said Shirley Dawson, president of the ratification office.