Pathlight: Father’s Day and National Aboriginal Day
Annie Wenger-Nabigon, Ph.D., RSW, Author of Pathlight: Living the good life
Two different celebrations fall on the same day – National Aboriginal Day and Father’s Day. The first Father’s Day celebration occurred on July 5, 1908 in Fairmont, West Virginia, USA, and is now widely celebrated in countries around the world on various different days. The first National Aboriginal Day was celebrated on June 21, 1996, after many years of work to bring that event to reality. In 2001 the Northwest Territories became the first Canadian jurisdiction to recognize it as a statutory holiday. Canadians love their celebrations!
Many families share meals together and give special gifts to fathers. Father’s Day is often a time where the special parent child relationship is affirmed as a significant marker in both the father and the child’s life. When the relationship is a healthy one, it is an occasion for great joy. There are other experiences associated with Father’s Day that can be less happy for people who have had deep disappointments and hurts in the parent-child relationship. In the best of worlds the day can potentially offer opportunities for healing and celebration of restored relationships, something that everyone can hope for and work for when things just haven’t worked out so well.
Many men do not have the experience of being a biological father, or being able to raise their children. Many men grow to know themselves as parents in the context of being a step-parent, a foster parent or an adoptive parent, or even a step-grandparent! Teachers, coaches and men in other nurturing roles can also celebrate the role of a father without needing to be a biological parent. Father’s Day is a day for many people to acknowledge a nurturing love and caring guidance in a variety of ways.
In the same way of thinking it is important to recognize that National Aboriginal Day is a day for everyone to celebrate – not just Aboriginal peoples. At my husband’s home community, Pic River First Nation, where we have our home, everyone joins in together in the fun activities and the much anticipated event of evening fireworks. It is a free event to which everyone is invited, whether Aboriginal or not.
Canadians are lucky to have these two special days on the same day. It is a great time to celebrate the many different ways we care about each other, help each other grow and develop into the best people we can be.
I hope you have a very happy Father’s Day and National Aboriginal Day!
Annie Wenger-Nabigon, Ph.D., RSW
Pathlight@OntarioNewsNorth.com
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ANNIE RECOMMENDS:
- The Hollow Tree by Herb Nabigon
- EldersTeachings.blogspot.com
- Pathlight: Journey to a Good Life archives
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Author of Pathlight; Annie Wenger-Nabigon, Ph.D., RSW is originally from the U.S., earning her Canadian Citizenship in 2013. June 16, 2015, following more than 8yrs of studies, Annie was awarded her Doctor of Philosophy in Human Studies degree by Laurentina University. Annie & her Husband live in Pic River First Nation. Annie Wenger-Nabigon, MSW, RSW has been a cinical social worker since 1979 working in mental health, family therapy, and addictions services. She works full-time as an Adult Mental Health and Addictions Therapist at the Marathon office of North of Superior Counseling Programs. Annie also works part-time as a consultant for LYNX, owned by her husband Herb Nabigon, MSW. Herb provides traditional Anishnabek teachings and healing workshops for both Native and non-Native organizations. Together he and Annie provide training and education to professionals on a wide range of topics blending mainstream and traditional approaches in healing. They also provide cultural safety and anti-racism training.
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