The First Annual ‘Summer Solstice’ celebration in Rockland of Canada's First Nations

TVC22 - Local Journalism Initiative

Journalist Izabela Daszkiewicz

The first annual ‘Summer Solstice’ celebration and festival was held on June 21st 2023 in Rockland, Ontario. The event was organized by the Rockland Indigenous GrassRoot Circle in honour of National Aboriginal Peoples' Day. 

The occasion included First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people at a Summer Solstice gathering. The event hosted vendors selling artwork, textiles, and craftworks as well as live performances from musicians, drum circles, and traditional presentations including a hoop dance.

One participant elaborated on her performance: “I'm a hoop dancer. I'm Algonquin from Kitigan Zibi Reserve, and that's a traditional dance for my people. It's a cultural dance. We dance for our community, our elders, our young, everyone. And for Mother Earth and Creator. And my dance in particular is to showcase magic. Magic and fun.”

Goals & Awareness 

Following the interviews by Jade Laviolette with various vendors and performers, it was explained their intent was to educate, to celebrate their heritage, and to share it with those interested in learning more. When asked what Summer Solstice means to them, a first-time vendor had this to say: “Well, it's the welcoming of summer, but also summer Solstice is Indigenous day, so it's a great day to promote and just let people know that we're still here and we're still, you know, we're still doing our thing.”

Ceremony

The ceremony began with a Mi'kMaq welcoming song performed in a drum circle, followed by the festivities and market opening up to patrons. The particulars of the drum circle were explained by the hoop dance performer: “...That's just a drum circle. It's to make sure everyone's in unison and in alignment with each other. It's to bring people together in likeness of mind and spirit.”

Growth 

The event was held in the Clarence-Rockland arena and due to weather conditions was relocated indoors. It’s likely that the location of the festival will have to be elsewhere in future to accommodate the influx of more artists and guests attending the event and the hope that the event will grow in popularity.

Awareness of issues and history pertaining to "truth and reconciliation" with the first peoples has recently become more widespread, with 2021 marking one of the official days commemorating this shift in Canadian consciousness.  It seems inevitable for events such as the Summer Solstice and the statutory holiday honouring our First Nations on September 30th, will continuing with the growing understanding or our past as Canadians and desire to learn more.