National Aboriginal Day, Winnipeg
Aboriginal Canadians had various traditions which related to the ways their tribes lived and function. Some of these include stories, dances, songs, art and spiritual rituals. Many traditions are also connected to the spirit world.
RITUALS
Rituals are religious or solemn ceremonies consisting of a series of actions performed according to a prescribed order. All religions have their own rituals or ceremonies, whether they be a mass, feast, or dance, they are always important to the religions beliefs and way of life. Most rituals often have connections to the tribe, the spirit world, and the land. Canadians have many important ceremonies, some specific ones are the Sun Dance, Green Corn Ceremony and the Ojibwa Midewiwin ritual. However there are also smaller rituals performed differently by each tribe; these are usually to celebrate a fertility, birth, initiation or death, as well as many other important celebrations within the tribe.
There is one day, celebrated most importantly right throughout all of Canada. June 21, National Aboriginal Day.
National Aboriginal Day is celebrated widely throughout all tribes of Canada. The day was first celebrated in 1996, June 21 was then chosen as the statutory holiday for many reasons-including its cultural significance as the Summer solstice, and the fact that it is a day on which many Aboriginal groups traditionally celebrate their heritage.
MUSIC
Each of the aboriginal communities have their own unique musical traditions. Chanting or singing is widely popular in most tribes, as well as the use of a variety of musical instruments. Most musical traditions were adapted from sacred rituals where music and performance is most often used to portray the ceremony. Now most tribes sing, dance and play as well as make musical instruments as part of everyday life.
HUNTING
In Canada, hunting for food is possible for natives belonging to groups, that have obtained the right when they gave up lands under treaty. Most tribes not only hunt for food, but for training and status.Some weapons used today and in the past have included the trap, gorge, noose, net, pitfall, deadfall, bolo, throwing-stick or boomerang, club, knife, spear, javelin, blowpipe, bow and arrow, and harpoon as well as the firearm. Some tribes have also adapted to using dogs or horses while hunting. As a more commonly 'female version' to hunting, women are often to go look for and gather other foods, as well as herbs for medicines, and things for the home.