P.E.I.’s Canada Day celebrations are back, with greater focus on Indigenous representation

After being cancelled for the previous two years, Canada Day celebrations on Prince Edward Island are again on this yr, with a higher focus on together with Indigenous voices and tradition.

COVID-19 prevented public Canada Day actions from happening in 2020. And in 2021, after the invention of a whole bunch of unmarked graves at residential faculty websites throughout Canada, many municipalities withdrew their plans because the nation mourned.

In Charlottetown, the July 1 celebrations at Victoria Park run from midday to later within the night, with a gap ceremony at 1 p.m.

“We’re thrilled to announce that we’re returning our celebrations to Victoria Park this yr for the primary time since 2019,” stated Laurel Lea, tourism officer for the Metropolis of Charlottetown.

“The whole lot that folks have come to like and learn about Charlottetown’s Canada Day celebrations will probably be again in full glory.”

There will probably be a household enjoyable zone from midday to 7 p.m. with inflatables, giveaways and cupcakes. There may even be a daylong lineup of musicians and bands.

We additionally must do not forget that there are unmarked graves on this nation. We’ve to reconcile that.— Chief Darlene Bernard

Lea stated the town has been working with L’nuey for this yr’s Canada Day programming, which incorporates occasion workers sporting orange shirts as an alternative of crimson and white. There may be orange all through the decor, and different deliberate initiatives, together with a land acknowledgement.

“In all probability the very best profile exercise that we have now will happen on our major stage in between a few of our night acts,” she stated. “We will be launching a brand new collection known as Understanding our Previous, Reconciling our Future.”

That collection will probably be hosted by L’nuey’s Sean Doke, she stated, and can embrace conversations with native leaders within the Indigenous neighborhood to teach most people.

‘We’re all the time going to recollect the kids’

Chief Darlene Bernard of Lennox Island First Nation stated whereas she’s wanting ahead to celebrating Canada Day another way this yr, there are nonetheless many unanswered questions from final yr’s discovery of a whole bunch of unmarked graves.

“We nonetheless have plenty of questions concerning the residential faculties that our individuals went to … and we have now plenty of questions on what will be executed there to have the ability to assist us to have the ability to discover closure,” she stated.

Bernard expects that on July 1 she’ll communicate publicly about residential faculties at occasions on Lennox Island, however may even encourage the neighborhood to rejoice their tradition.

“We’ve to maneuver ahead, we have now to take our rightful place in Canada and rejoice Canada,” she stated. “However we additionally must do not forget that there are unmarked graves on this nation. We’ve to reconcile that.

“It may be a day the place we’re all the time going to recollect the kids, however we’re additionally going to make it a day to rejoice our neighborhood’s accomplishments.”

‘An essential part of Canada’s historical past’

Mitch Shea, occasion growth officer with the Metropolis of Summerside, stated he expects as much as 4,000 individuals to attend celebrations within the metropolis this yr.

The day is packed filled with actions happening at Inexperienced’s Shore. There will probably be stay music, face portray, balloon artists and way more. 

“There will probably be tons to do down there,” Shea stated. “Principally the grounds will open up at 1 p.m. and run proper by way of to nightfall, which is the place the fireworks present will probably be.”

The town invited Chief Bernard to attend the celebrations at Inexperienced’s Shore and there will probably be an emphasis on appreciating and celebrating “the wealthy traditions of the Indigenous neighborhood right here on P.E.I. and throughout Canada,”stated Shea.

“It is an essential part of Canada’s historical past, and it is one thing we wish to deliver to the forefront this yr.”