Sunday, June 21, 2026

June 21 is the Summer Solstice, Pet Dad's Day and National Selfie Day!

Mom is going to a Solstice today! Besides being the Solstice and Dad's Day and Selfie Day it is National Indigenous Day in Canada. When the International Boundary Line was being surveyed in 1857 - 1861, the major portion of the large Indian band then living in the area moved to the reservation at Colville, Washington. One of the Indians entwined two sapling pines saying, "Though divided we are united still - we are one." This tree symbolises the the spirit of friendship existing between Canada and the United States.

For many Indigenous Nations, the solstice has long marked a time of gathering, ceremony, harvesting, renewal, and connection to the land. Indigenous Nations hold and continue to carry forward ancient relationships to land, sky, water, and seasonal cycles. Different Nations have distinct teachings and traditions for the solstice, but common themes include:

gratitude to the Creator,
honoring the cycles of nature,
community gatherings,
songs, dances, and feasts,
and passing knowledge between generations.

Mom is going to a local Pow Wow to celebrate the Solstice and says she will enjoy the drumming-both hand held and the "grandmother drum", the Dance competitions the colourful Pow Wow dance costumes, the ribbon skirts and the bannock!