'Stand up together,' Kahnawake chief tells First Nations on Indigenous Peoples Day

“Seeing everyone here today talking about reconciliation is very important,” Grand Chief Kahsennenhawe Sky-Deer said at a ceremony Tuesday on the shores of the St. Lawrence River in Old Montreal.

Author of the article:

Jason Magder • Montreal Gazette

Kahnawake Grand Chief Kahsennenhawe Sky-Deer takes part in a ceremony on Tuesday June 21, 2022 to mark National Indigenous Peoples Day. Photo by Pierre Obendrauf /Montreal Gazette

Being in Montreal and speaking her language was emotional and symbolic for Kahsennenhawe Sky-Deer on Tuesday.

The Kahnawake grand chief and other representatives of Indigenous nations took part in a ceremony on the shores of the St. Lawrence River in Old Montreal to mark National Indigenous Peoples Day. It included a ceremonial bonfire and tobacco, as well as traditional dances and music.

“It was important for me to speak my language for people to know that Indigenous languages still exist in the face of all that we went through,” Sky-Deer said. “For a long time, we’ve been ignored. Our voices have been not in the forefront, and our Indigenous languages have suffered.

“It’s a day for my brothers and sisters to stand up together, raise your fist, pump your heart and acknowledge that our ancestors fought long and hard for us to continue to be here today. As the original peoples of this land, it’s so awesome that we had a ceremony here today. Seeing everyone here today talking about reconciliation is very important.”

Sky-Deer invited the public to come to Kahnawake on July 9 and 10 for the 30th annual Echoes of a Proud Nation powwow.

Owen Mayo, right, brings along Nash Mayo, left, and Shakoieshon:tha McComber for a dance during a ceremony in the Old Port area on Tuesday June 21, 2022 to mark National Indigenous Peoples Day. Photo by Pierre Obendrauf /Montreal Gazette

Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante took part in Tuesday’s ceremony and said it’s important to pay homage to Indigenous culture in all spheres of life.

“It’s also important to reaffirm the role of the city of Montreal in reconciliation,” she said. “I want to reiterate our will — not just in Montreal, but throughout Quebec — for reconciliation. It will take time, but we will get there step by step.”

Alia Hassan-Cournol, the city’s executive committee member in charge of reconciliation, said Montreal is dedicated to improving its relationship with the Indigenous community and has outlined a long-term strategy.

“It’s not just symbolic to be here — it’s central to the city’s reconciliation mission with Indigenous people,” she said. “We have a strategy on reconciliation that includes all services of the city. It’s also remembering the generational trauma of Indigenous communities. The road was long to get here, and there’s lots more work to do.”

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