Today on June 21, National Indigenous Peoples Day, Halifax International Airport Authority (HIAA) partnered with Canoe ’22 and the 2023 North American Indigenous Games on the installation of a 19-foot Mi’kmaq canoe that will be on display at the Halifax Stanfield International Airport all summer.
The 19-foot canoe, built by Todd Labrador and Melissa Labrador in 2019, is made of birchbark, black spruce, eastern white cedar and other materials.
The 19-foot canoe was built by father-daughter duo Todd Labrador and Melissa Labrador. Photo by Sara Gouda.
The canoe was built in the traditional Mi'kmaq way and does not include a single nail.
The Mi’kmaq regularly travelled great distances along the waterways of the Maritimes, and they depended on the canoes built by skilled artisans for transportation.
The canoe is made of birchbark, black spruce, eastern white cedar, and other materials. Photo by Sara Gouda.
The ceremony included a prayer and smudging of the canoe by Darlene Gilbert, whose spirit name is Thunderbirds Swooping Down Woman. She is a Mi'kmaq grandmother and elder from Annapolis Valley First Nations.
She explained what National Indigenous Peoples Day means to her.
“It means recognition. Finally, there's some recognition to come forth. I wasn't expecting this but I am very honoured to be here with these people and I'm looking forward to the games next year.”
The ceremony included drumming, a prayer and smudging of the canoe by Mi'kmaq elder Darlene Gilbert. Photo by Sara Gouda.
Fiona Kirkpatrick Parsons was the first guest speaker and is the chair of the North American Indigenous Games.
“In just over a year, Kjipuktukt Halifax and Millbrook First Nation will have the opportunity to recognize and celebrate the contributions of First Nations, matey and Inuit people, as we get ready to host the 2023 North American Indigenous Games.”
The games were supposed to take place in 2020 but due to the pandemic and its restrictions, it will take place next year from July 15-23.
The event will be the largest multi-sport and cultural gathering, since the pandemic started, in Atlantic Canada. Kirkpatrick Parsons said the games will welcome more than 5,000 indigenous youths representing over 756 nations from all across Turtle Island and North America.
The cultural event next year will also require 3,000 volunteers, where interested applicants can sign up on their website.
Jill D'Alessio, chair of the Canoe 2022 Board of Directors said this canoe will be the first welcome participants and spectators will encounter when landing here at Halifax International Stanfield.
“We hope it will symbolize inclusion and connection to the community. We embrace the ability to be part of building awareness about canoe kayaks placed with indigenous history and culture with both our local and international communities.”
Joyce Carter, president and CEO of Halifax International Airport Authority, said it is important for her organization be a reflection of the Halifax community and that she is honoured that the airport is the first allocated place the canoe will be lounging in for months.
“I just can't imagine the work that would go behind building a canoe like that and really using the Mi’kmaq knowledge that has been passed on through generations. So we're just so honoured to be able to display it here.”
Joyce Carter, president and CEO of Halifax International Airport Authority, said this canoe is small symbol-a reminder that the airport sits on Mi'kmaq land. Photo by Sara Gouda.
Listen to the full interview below: