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Kitchener-Waterloo·Photos

Sunrise ceremony marks National Indigenous Peoples Day in Kitchener

Early risers celebrated summer solstice and National Indigenous Peoples Day at a sunrise ceremony outside TheMuseum in Kitchener on Thursday.

'At First Light' celebrated at TheMuseum in downtown Kitchener

Peggy Lam · CBC News ·
Participants put tobacco into a communal fire as part of a sunrise ceremony at TheMuseum on Thursday, which was National Indigenous Peoples Day. (Peggy Lam/CBC)
Early risers in Kitchener-Waterloo gathered in front of TheMuseum in downtown Kitchener on Thursday morning to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day as well as summer solstice. 
Al McDonald was the fire keeper for Thursday morning's sunrise ceremony at TheMuseum in Kitchener. (Peggy Lam/CBC)

Al McDonald, an Anishinaabe fire keeper, started the fire at 5 a.m.

After leading the sunrise ceremony, Kelly Fran Davis introduces herself to families who came to the ceremony. (Peggy Lam/CBC)

By 6 a.m., dozens of people gathered in a circle for a traditional sunrise ceremony, led by community elder Kelly Fran Davis.

Fran Davis said summer solstice is used as an opportunity to show gratitude for the life and resources they are given. 

Drummers were invited to perform songs after the sunrise ceremony ended. (Peggy Lam/CBC)

"We're here to celebrate our culture, it certainly gives an opportunity across Canada for people to recognize Indigenous people and who we are," said McDonald. 

Participants were invited to use tobacco for their prayers, which they put into the communal fire.

Drummers lead the group in a song outside TheMuseum. (Peggy Lam/CBC)

"I'm hoping that people walk away with a little more understanding of our sunrise ceremony," said McDonald.

"It's so wonderful to see everybody here. We're here to celebrate our culture," he said. 

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The sunrise ceremony was followed by a celebration with people from across the region. (Peggy Lam/CBC)

Corrections

  • A photo caption incorrectly identified one of the participants as Amy Smoke.
    Jun 22, 2018 2:01 PM ET
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