The Maple Leaf flew on lampposts, flagpoles and patios across the country on Monday as cities from coast to coast welcome thousands of revellers for Canada Day. Under a cloudless July sky, thousands of people dressed in red and white made their way to Ottawa’s LeBreton Flats Park for the annual Canada Day celebrations in the national capital. People were in high spirits as they strolled down Wellington Street to the festival site, taking the airport-style security checks and porta-potties in stride.
The sun was blazing by the time things got underway at noon, and many ducked under umbrellas they brought for shade. Algonquin elder Claudette Commanda opened the events with an Indigenous reflection. With a small wooden canoe on stage beside her, Commanda spoke about its importance to Indigenous Peoples.
Using the canoe as a symbol of hope and healing, she said Indigenous and Canadian children will journey together. "Learn from the past, appreciate the present and honour the future, for the future belongs to the children. Together let us journey in peace and friendship," she said.
A young Indigenous dancer in regalia, an Inuk drummer and a Métis dancer performed during the reflection before they were joined by three other children. The elders and children passed the canoe to one another as a drummer performed an honour song. Canadian Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland also spoke.
Freeland was greeted with loud cheers as she said it w.
