Celebration at Cabot Square

The Native Women’s Shelter of Montreal (NWSM) held its annual Indigenous People’s Day concert in Cabot Square over the weekend, in affiliation with POP Montreal.

Despite heavy rainfall that blanketed much of the area, the organizers chose not to postpone the festivities, but instead to switch to acoustic performances as the weather passed.

While Na’kuset, executive director of NWSM, couldn’t recall the exact year the event was first held, she has seen the growth in celebrating National Indigenous People’s Day since before the Cabot Square renovation in 2015.

“Back in the day, there was barely anything being done to recognize this day, but I think as Indigenous people we don’t get a designated day to celebrate,” said Na’kuset, who has been organizing the event since its inaugural year and has been with the shelter since 1999.

Ka’nasohon Kevin Deer gave the opening remarks in English, welcoming those who were straggling in. Deer spoke about the rain after a 25-minute delay, calling it a gift from Mother Earth and saying it is what we all come from.

His words were used to send a message on how precious the gift is, but they also echoed the NWSM’s embracing of the conditions.

“We’re optimistic,” Na’kuset said. “We’re just not going to use anything that you happen to plug in.”

Na’kuset was grateful for the involvement of POP Montreal, which joined her in hosting the event six years ago.

“They bring so much to the table. I really love them,” said Na’kuset.

“They are the ones who show up at 10 in the morning to start setting up, and then we talk about next year, so it’s an ongoing collaboration, and it’s wonderful.”

She also spoke about how important it is to put on the concert right at Cabot Square, which is near the Resilience Montreal shelter and across from its former location, and which is an important gathering place.

“People that come here wouldn’t be able to actually go to a professional concert,” she said. “Usually, when the weather is great, and we do the concert, people are really joyful and celebrate. There have been certain artists that have come here and said this is their favourite place to perform.”

The concert itself commenced with the Manitou Singers and featured numerous performers and tents where vendors sold items that celebrate Indigenous entrepreneurs.

Cory Hanlin is the owner of This Claw, selling beadwork that bridges his identity as a visible Two-Spirit artist to his culture, the public eye, and community, according to his website. Originally from the Tŝilhqotʼin Nation in B.C., he has been attending the Indigenous People’s Day event for the past six years. He hosts a beading workshop at the same table where he sells his artwork.

“This is probably the longest-running market I’ve been doing,” Hanlin said. “I connect with the NWSM. They really help small businesses in Montreal.”

Hanlin spoke about how much he looks forward to the event each year.

“It’s really fun to know everyone and their organizations,” Hanlin added. “I usually have customers who come; they just want to talk.”

Running both the table and the workshop meant that Hanlin had to bring on extra hands, which is why he brings on Two-Spirit and queer artists to help.

Hanlin spoke frequently about community and the significance of the Indigenous People’s Day event in Cabot Square.

“It means a lot,” he said. “There’s a lot of history here. So, it’s good to have an event. Also, that’s why I’m happy we did it outside today, even when it’s rainy.”

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