N.L. welcomes summer by celebrating National Indigenous Peoples Day

Sunday marks the celebration's 30th anniversary

National Indigenous Peoples Day was celebrated across Newfoundland and Labrador on Sunday, with colourful events from coast to coast.

In St. John's, vibrant regalia and triumphant music cut through the grey sky during the afternoon gathering in Bannerman Park.

Surrounded by children running through the grass, and dancers with ribbon skirts flowing with their movements, Inuk elder Charlotte Winters-Fost said she was pleased to see how the urban Indigenous population has grown.

Dancing, drumming, singing: Here’s how N.L. celebrated National Indigenous Peoples Day

She grew up in Hopedale, Nunatsiavut but has spent most of her life in St. John’s.

“To see the impact and the Inuit and the Innu and the Mi'kmaw influences at a function like this, is really big and important and huge,” Winters-Fost told CBC News.

Winters-Fost was a founding member of the St. John's Native Friendship Centre that planted its roots in the 1970s before being incorporated in 1983, and later evolving into First Light.

She said the operation has come a long way from the Memorial University office it started in.

Today, Winters-Fost said, First Light offers early childhood education, health-care and housing navigation, and a wide range of programming available for Indigenous people living in the St. John’s area.

“It's just wonderful to see the interest, she said. "It’s really a big part of Indigenous people reclaiming who we are and what we are about."

First Light relational connections co-ordinator Noah Sheppard said National Indigenous Peoples Day should feel like a celebration — but also a stepping stone.

“Truth and reconciliation is something that, you know, it's not a destination, but it's a journey that we walk together,” he said.

“It's people showing up for community, whether you're in the community or you're not.”

In Corner Brook, people showed up despite the rain.

That came as no surprise to Qalipu First Nation Chief Jenny Brake, who said the crowd at the west coast city's Majestic Lawn was an example of the determination and resilience of Indigenous people.

She likened the celebration to a family reunion.

"Nothing really keeps us inside when we're going to get together and we're going to celebrate who we are," said Brake.

Canada has been marking National Indigenous Peoples Day for 30 years as of Sunday. Much like Charlotte Winters-Fost, the Qalipu chief said she's happy her children are able to share their songs, stories and food without shame.

"Trying to piece it all together over the years, it's been difficult," said Brake. "But it's getting us to where we need to go, which is to a future where we can all be proud of who we are."

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Maddie Ryan is a reporter in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador who has experience covering a wide range of stories, from politics and social issues to music and culture. Contact her at madison.ryan@cbc.ca.

With files from Abby Cole and Amy Feehan