Londoners are standing together with local First Nations communities Thursday to mark Indigenous Solidarity Day.
A day-long celebration is taking place at The Green in Wortley Village.
Festivities began with a sunrise ceremony and will continue with food and craft vendors as well as family-friendly activities, music, and dancing throughout the day.
“There are close to 3,000 people here today, and this is the largest turnout I’ve seen in the 11 years I’ve been doing solidarity day here in the city,” said Dennis Whiteye, manager of outreach and support services at Atlohsa Native Family Healing Services.
Asked about the importance of a solidarity day, Whiteye replied, “for me, in the work I do in the city of London, creating allies, the awareness through truth and reconciliation, the honouring of missing and murdered Indigenous women, and representing the folks that are survivors of the residential school syndrome.”
Whiteye added that with Indigenous Solidarity Day, it was also important to acknowledge this particular way of life is still around.
“It’s 2018, but those values and respect of honouring our existence in the physical realm is here,” he said. “That’s what happening today when you hear the songs and you see the dancers, they’re representing that respect and honour for being sent here from the spirit realm to have a physical presence.”
Gary Brown, director of the Old South Community Organization, or OSCO, said it was important for the community to take part in the solidarity day.
“It’s most important that the Indigenous community is willing to share this day with our community,” Brown said. “I think the teaching, the learning of another culture and more knowledge, and just the beauty of the event really means a lot to me and my community.”
Brown said it’s the third year the pow wow has taken place in the community. He added he was honoured with an eagle’s feather during the event for what he believed was his role in the passage of a motion at city council that stopped Indigenous groups from being charged to use city parks.
“I was pretty humbled to receive it,” he said.
Canada marks June 21, also the summer solstice, as National Indigenous Peoples Day.
The event in Wortley Village continues until 8 p.m.