Quote:
Originally Posted by ssiguy
Does the average Canadian care {little alone know} about NAD?
I guess I should add to that question is if the average First Nation's Canadian even cares either? Seriously, you see all the politicians making speeches like they could careless but everyone knows these are just media events with politicians trying to make as much political hay as they can.
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The city of Toronto has been doing a fairly good job under Mayor Tory making people aware of today's significance. We have three new public art installations which have been highlighted today as part of the today's' celebrations. Also celebrations set throughout the city with a huge Native Arts festival from today until Sunday at Fort York. Yes education about this day needs to be better but hopefully it will become more well known each year. I'm not sure why today was chosen I'm going to assume the solstice is the reason for it. Making this a stat holiday would solidify it in the minds of most people I would bet.
This day is not meant to dwell on past mistakes but to celebrate our indigenous cultures across Canada. I would recommend all Canadians get out and celebrate this holiday in some way over the next few days.
I think Vancouver has done the best job of representing it's Native community, where as I find in Toronto the native population to be very small. Most people here don't get much exposure to it. I have had the benefit of dating a Metis girl and working for the ImagiNative Film Festival. My exposure to native culture is probably a little more then the average Canadian/Torontonian.
Shameless plug: Anybody in Toronto from October the 18th to October the 22nd that enjoys films should check out the film festival. the largest indigenous film festival of it's kind anywhere.
http://www.imaginenative.org