Halifax Kanata Day celebrations rooted in inclusivity, awareness – Halifax | Globalnews.ca

Hundreds of people flock to the city of Halifax to receive Canada Day Celebrations that focused on connecting people to the Mikamo language and culture.

Halifax Regional Municipality partnered with Mikamaw Native Friendship Center to host the ceremony.

“We’re celebrating Canada Day, or Kanata Day, which we call Canada in Mi’kmaq,” said Cheryl Kopez-Gehue, the municipality’s indigenous community advisor.

“We have re-imagined, re-imagined, and re-focused, what Canada Day could look like with a more inclusive lens and a little bit of Indigenous focus, so we need to focus on this great culture of our own. May get an opportunity to share, share their traditions. day.”

Kopez-Gehu said the partnership between the municipality and the Mikamo Native Friendship Center is an important step on the path to reconciliation, a year after unmarked graves of hundreds of indigenous children were found in the east Residential school Sites across Canada.

Some of the day’s events included Maviomi on the Commons, which featured music, crafts, games, and authentic indigenous cuisine.

The ceremony began with the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo Parade.

“I felt it was a great opportunity to meet new people and get to know Canada more,” said newcomer Azuka Onwuka, who walked the parade on Friday morning on her way to the Commons.

Onwuka was there with a group of recent immigrants who were brought together by Ian Shepherd, an English language teacher and founder of Right Star Newcomer Services.

“We offer events such as Canada Days, city tours and opportunities to learn English for newcomers to Canada,” Shepherd said.

He said those occasions, such as Kanata Day celebrations, enrich both his life and the lives of those who work with him.

“Bringing people together in person and seeing their smile, and making those connections, helps facilitate those connections — it’s been really beneficial to me,” he said.

Added Onwuka: “It’s a wonderful feeling to see people again, to be with people, to talk with people.”