The Agassiz-Harrison Observer has teamed up with the Agassiz-Harrison Museum to bring you a three-part mini series looking into the history of holiday celebrations local to the area.
In this edition, we bring you winter solstice traditions of Indigenous communities across Canada.
Winter is a time for celebration for multiple cultures. First Nations communities across North America celebrate winter solstice.
The winter solstice – which falls on Dec. 21 this year – marks the shortest day of the year and the longest night in the northern hemisphere. From the winter solstice, daylight hours will grow progressively longer until the spring equinox.
According to the NDN Collective, an Indigenous-run advocacy group based in the United States, the winter solstice has been observed for thousands of years by Indigenous communities across the world. The solstice is revered event demonstrating the interconnectedness of the natural world and the people.
Some Indigenous communities hold special ceremonies during the winter and summer solstices while others observe the solstice in simpler ways. For example, the solstice could be seen as a time to reflect on the highs and lows of the past year, to give thanks for the blessings and to show loved ones extra appreciation and love.
“In its period of darkness, the winter solstice is an opportunity to go inward with deep intention, to care for our spiritual selves, our bodies and minds, our loved ones and families, and to prepare for the longer days ahead,” The NDN Collective writes.
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