Daniel Bouchard, president of the Maverick Party in Manitoba, objects to the cancelling of Canada Day at The Forks in Winnipeg..“Why can’t we do both? Why can’t we do Canada Day and celebrate indigenous people’s day on the same day? There’s no reason why we can’t,” said Bouchard..“They’re Canadians, just like we are.”.Bouchard suggests that many different entertainment and exhibits can highlight both Canada and its indigenous people at the same time..“I don’t understand why we can’t have a dance or a Sundance or sweat lodge,” said Bouchard, saying these events can happen alongside typical Canada Day celebrations..Bouchard grew up near The Pas and spent much of his youth on an indigenous reserve..“I’m from Prince Albert. So, I have a lot of native friends and I grew up more on the reserve than on the white side,” said Bouchard..Integrating indigenous people into Canada is the way it should happen for everyone to be included instead of suppressing Canada Day celebrations, according to Bouchard..“I very much think that we should be celebrating together both as indigenous Canadians and Canadians on Canada Day. There should be no separation,” said Bouchard..“There shouldn’t be one cancelled for the other. It should be, 'this is Canada Day and this is Aboriginal Canada Day', like there’s no difference.”.The Forks announced it rebranded Canada Day celebrations to “A New Day” effectively cancelling normal Canada Day celebrations and focusing on indigenous and multicultural activities..READ MORE Controversy over ‘Canada’ being removed from Canada Day celebrations in Winnipeg.“We are reimagining a Canada Day, a new day, that includes a reflective, inclusive and fun day for everyone to come together,” said The Forks website.
