It’s Aboriginal Awareness Week!
Written by Cassie Licari & Dominique Houle on 27/05/10
Photo by kate.gardiner on Flickr
May 25th to 28th is Aboriginal Awareness Week (AAW) here in Canada. During this week, we aim to raise awareness about the issues that are important to all Aboriginal cultures, such as Aboriginal rights and residential school resolution (GC). We also take this week to celebrate the rich culture and history of Aboriginal peoples and the diversity they bring to Canada.
Aboriginal Awareness Week first began in 1992 and lasts for four days after Victoria Day. It first began as a way to raise awareness of Aboriginal peoples within Canada and the public service, but has gradually developed into a week that celebrates and honours all Aboriginal peoples and their many cultures, including First Nations, the Inuit and the Métis (TBS).
Cool Facts about Aboriginal Culture
- Canada’s most widely used Aboriginal language is Cree, which is spoken by more than 87 000 people. However, there are over 60 different Aboriginal languages in Canada.
- The names of many cities in Canada have Aboriginal roots, including the name of “Canada” itself (the name comes from the Huron-Iroquois word “kanata,” meaning village or settlement). These names were given to honour certain events in history, or certain defining features of the land.
- Some Aboriginal tools that are thousands of years old are still being discovered up north as the Arctic ice melts. This lets us continue to learn about Aboriginal peoples and how they lived long ago.
- The Aboriginal population is the fastest growing in the country, and in 2006 its population reached a little over one million.
- Music is an important part of Aboriginal culture. It is used in everyday life and in spiritual practices.
There will be celebrations taking place all over Canada this week, so go check them out! For events going on in the National Capital Region – click here. For events outside of Ottawa-Gatineau, contact your local government departments and agencies for more information.
Let us know about any exciting events or activities taking place in your community!
Links
Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat: Aboriginal Awareness Week
Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat: Helpful Websites
Aboriginal Canada Portal
Aboriginal Canada Portal: Language, Heritage & Culture
One Reader Comment:
MikeJune 14th
I like this well done