Aamjiwnaang First Nation – On June 19, 2024, Aboriginal Legal Services attended the Summer Solstice Ceremony in Aamjiwnaang First Nation conducted by the Anishinaabe Thunderbird Sundance of Ontario. The Summer Solstice ceremony is one of the many ceremonies that clients will be able to access through the Sharing Our Stories to Help Each Other program.
Aboriginal Legal Services received funding from the Ministry of the Solicitor General to provide wrap-around services, access to culture and ceremony for men on probation and parole. This resulted in the creation of the Sharing Our Stories to Help Each Other program. The Sharing Our Stories program supports men and Two-spirited people with wrap around services, including access to cultural programming and ceremonies. The Summer Solstice Ceremony was the first ceremony the participants got to attend since the inception of the program.
During the ceremony, Aboriginal Legal Services’ Executive Director, Chantell Barker, the team, and participants did an honouring ceremony for the Sundance Chief, Jordan Whiteye to signify the partnership and give thanks for his support and guidance. The Sundance Chief was wrapped with a buffalo robe and an honour song was provided by some of the singers from All Nations Juniors. Aboriginal Legal Services is very grateful for this partnership and looking forward to many more ceremonies throughout the year.