Hundreds partook in the all-day free event of Huntsville’s National Indigenous Peoples Day on Friday.
Local schools flooded the Muskoka Heritage Place in the morning for various activities.
Ben McKay, a grade seven French teacher at Huntsville Public School (HSP), said the hands-on nature of the event is something they cannot do in the classroom.
“It just brings to life the culture that was here in Canada first. And it’s really nice to be able to expose kids to that culture and have them appreciate it in a way that we just can not seem to do, as hands-on and as live in the classroom,” said McKay.
Kristy Brophy, a grade seven French teacher at the HSP, added it is very important to educate today’s students about the cultural identity and the different “Indigenous ways of being” that exist in Canada.
“It is nice to be able to provide it and to have something that will help us provide it, in a more authentic way than we can do in the classroom,” shared Brophy.
They added some of the activities included storytelling and drumming, snowshoe making, dancing, and more.
In the evening, the venue shifted to the Algonquin Theatre for a fashion show, live music, and dance in celebration of the day. It was originally scheduled to be at The River Mill Park, but due to the rain, it was moved to the Algonquin Theatre.
The live music was performed by Métis folk singer-songwriter Amanda Rheamue from Ottawa.
“What I really loved about this celebration is that there was a focus on meeting people,” shared Rheamue. “I think it is just important that we all show up for each other, learn from each other, and celebrate everyone’s beauty and where everyone comes from.”
The Town of Huntsville, Huntsville Festival of the Arts, Hope Arises Project Inc., and Huntsville Public Library organized the event.
Rheamue said it was “wonderful” that Huntsville had this celebration.
“I think it means everything. I think it’s a lovely gift to the community to bring culture here,” added Rheamue.
