The sights, sounds and faces of National Aboriginal Day in Quebec
Events were held across the province and the country today to mark National Aboriginal Day.
In Montreal, a big crowd took part in a round dance and other festivities at Place des Arts and Cabot Square.
Here's a look at some of the people who attended, and what the day means to them.
Janelle Kasperski moved to Montreal two weeks ago. She is originally from Nisga'a, B.C.
"National Aboriginal Day to me is a celebration of who we are. It is definitely a national holiday that I need to be present for. I'm missing my home today but this is making it a lot better."
Nathalie Boucher (left) came to the ceremony on her day off from work with her mother, Thérèse Boucher.
"Somewhere along the line there's part of me that's native, and the native culture has always vibrated with me. This year I was lucky enough to be off so I can actually participate," she said.
Jimena Vasquez, an English student from Santander, Colombia, came with her classmates to learn more about Indigenous culture.
"It's something new for me. I didn't know that in Canada people celebrated this day. It's a new experience," she said.
Donovan King, Vasquez's teacher, brought his class to the event to teach them about reconciliation. He's from Montreal.
"As a teacher who is teaching new immigrants English, it's also important to teach them about the culture here in Canada," he said.
Tealey Ka'senni;saks Normandin is a Mohawk from Kahnawake and member of the Bear Clan.
"Today is important because everybody comes together to celebrate Indigenous peoples, that we take our own place and that we have a voice and that we can celebrate with everyone."
Singing Wind Dear, seen with her son Shakoieshòn:tha McComber, said today is another way to make sure her people's culture gets passed on to him.
"It's to teach everybody about our culture and all the hardship we went through when the settlers came here and took over (what is now) Montreal. We want everybody to see our side of the culture."
Jen Jerome is from Gesgapegiaq, Que., and Glenn Cruz is from Toronto.
"I personally don't believe that National Aboriginal Day should be celebrated once a year, it should be an acknowledgement of Indigenous Peoples every day," Jerome said.
Cruz said he's "from a mixed background and one of those ethnicities is Maori, from New Zealand. I just wanted to do something to support other Indigenous Peoples. It's beautiful to see all the sharing."
"Being Aboriginal, (today is) about pride and joy. We were here many, many years ago and we're finally getting recognized," said Norma Condo who celebrated National Aboriginal Day with her children Nathan and Leah.
In Mistissini, Que., a Walking-Out Ceremony, which is meant to be a child's first encounter with nature, according to Cree tradition, was held today to mark National Aboriginal Day.
