An Indigenous Sunrise Ceremony

We are lucky in Canada to have a society with so many remarkable cultures. This definitely includes the First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples whose roots in our country go back thousands of years. Many brave Indigenous men and women have served in the military. So it makes sense that their proud traditions can be seen in special remembrance ceremonies.

The Remembrance Clubhouse animals went to France in April 2017 for the 100^th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge—a major Canadian victory during the First World War. It was there early one morning when we saw our first sunrise ceremony. This powerful tradition is part of many Indigenous cultures and is a chance to give thanks, reflect or pray. Since then, we have been lucky to see other Indigenous commemorative events during milestones like the 75^th anniversaries of D-Day and the Italian Campaign, as well as the 100^th anniversaries of the Battle of Passchendaele and Canada’s Hundred Days. The participants use their own languages and wear traditional clothing as they take part in cultural activities like smudging rituals, symbolic pipe smoking, singing, dancing and drumming.

As I watch, my hooves always gently tap along with the beating of their drums and I can’t help swishing my tail as the dancers gracefully move. Each time I promise myself again that we will always remember those who fought for our freedom. And I will always be grateful that Canada is such a great and diverse country.