The Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year, has been celebrated by cultures around the world for thousands of years. In many Nordic countries, people gather around bonfires and celebrate the light-filled days of midsummer, while at Stonehenge in England, thousands gather to watch the sunrise align with the ancient monument. Across generations and continents, communities have marked this special time by honouring the sun, the changing seasons, and our connection to the natural world.
For First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples, the Summer Solstice has held deep cultural, spiritual, and seasonal significance since time immemorial. In Canada, June 21st marks both the Summer Solstice and National Indigenous Peoples Day, a date officially chosen by the Government of Canada in 1996 in recognition of the importance of the solstice to Indigenous communities. Here in Ottawa, the Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival at Wesley Clover Parks brings people together through Indigenous music, dance, art, food, cultural teachings, and family-friendly activities, offering opportunities to celebrate and learn from Indigenous cultures.
Jenny — our Hintonburg Retail Manager, who is part Mohawk, was kind enough to share with us a few of the ways she grew up celebrating this special day and the gratitude practices that have been passed down to her. Here's Jenny, in her own words:
"As somebody who's part Mohawk, summer solstice is a very important time of the year for us. And like many other Indigenous cultures, it marks a very important time of the year for them as well. Perhaps you already have your own way of celebrating summer solstice, but this is mine.
The Ohén:ton Karihwatéhkwen, the words that come before all else, helps to connect my mind and body before showing gratitude to the natural world around me.
I show gratitude to Garagua, the sun that provides me with light and warmth all year long and helps to sustain crops. Ohóntsya Mother Earth, who helps to support everything that walks upon her every day and continues to provide us with support and care despite everything she's faced with.
Strawberries (Ken'niyohontésha) are my favourite fruit and happen to be a very important fruit to the Mohawk. We even have a dance dedicated to it. This summer solstice, I hope that you find a special way to show gratitude to this beautiful world that we're all connected to so profoundly, and how fortunate we all are to get to share our time here together.
Maybe you want to burn some sage. That's something that I like to do. Or maybe some sweetgrass. Or maybe placing a special crystal or a piece of tobacco underneath a tree. Those are other really meaningful things that you can do.
No matter what it is, I hope that you find time to show gratitude this summer solstice."
A heartfelt thank you to Jenny for sharing such a personal and beautiful tradition with us. We hope it inspires you to find your own way of honouring this longest day of the year.
