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Project 57 Week 40: Indigenous new years celebrations
For many of us, we celebrate the New Year on January 01 perhaps without realizing its roots in the Roman Empire and Christianity. The calendar most used is known as the Gregorian calendar, created in 1582 by Pope Gregory XIII (Tikkanen, 2018 ; De Guzman, 2023). Before that, and in fact in some places until 1752, the New Year was celebrated on March 25, the Feast of the Annunciation, or December 25 (Christmas) (Tikkanen, 2018 ; De Guzman, 2023). Indigenous Nations and communities have their own celebrations to welcome a new year, often coinciding with the return of resources (e.g., oolichan) and the lengthening of days. Below are a few times of celebration.
Nisga's new year: HoobiyeeH
Also known as Nisga’a new year, Hoobiyee (HO-bee-yay) is celebrated with the waxing crescent moon in late February or early March (Hobiyee ; Romer, 2024). Nisga’a call these months Buxw-laḵs and X̱saak, and are marked by the reappearance of oolichans at the end of winter (Hobiyee ; Romer, 2024). The word hoobiyee comes from the word hoobix, the bowl of a wooden spoon (Sim’algax 101, the Story about Hooibyee) or the shape of a crescent moon. The orientation of the moon and stars indicates the coming year’s harvest (Hobiyee ; Sim’algax 101, the Story about Hooibyee).
Keep an eye out for the Vancouver Hoobiyee 2025 celebration announcement from Nisg̱a’a Ts’amiks Vancouver Society.
Here are some resources to further your learning:
- Hoobiyee Sim’algax 101 (February 24, 2021). YouTube. 5 minutes, 22 seconds.
- Git Hayetsk Dancers at Hobiyee Ts’amiks 2024 Vancouver, BC (March 23, 2024). YouTube. 47 minutes.
- Nisga'a members find culture, connection and identity through Hoobiyee celebrations. CBC News. (March 01, 2024).
Stó:lō New Year
Stö:lō mark the new year with the return of the Spring Salmon to the Chehalis River. In Halq'eméylem this time is known as Tempo:kw' meaning "time for Chehalis Spring Salmon" and is generally in October (Abbotsford School District).
Here are some resources to learn more
- Stó:lō New Year and the fall run of Spring Salmon [video], Digital Sq’élets, 40 seconds
- Seasons of the Moon, Abbotsford School District
- Sílólem, the year, Stó:lō Foodways
Anishnaabe New Year
In a blog post from January 2024 Zhaawano Giizhik teaches us that Anishnaabe communities have differing new year celebrations, depending on traditions. They write that some communities mark the new year in the winter, at the full moon closest to the Winter Solstice. For some communities the new year coincides with the Spring Equinox, either when the bears begin to wake up or when the maple sap begins to flow. As Winona LaDuke reminds us “land determines time,” and Indigenous spiritual practices “reaffirm[ing] the relationship with Mother Earth” (2022).
To learn more, check out these resources
- Did Anishinaabeg Celebrate New Years? (2014) waaseyaa'sin Christine Sy
- Anishinaabe Spring Teachings | A changing of the seasons dialogue with Zhaawnong, (2023). YouTube video, 4 minutes
Quviasukvik
Beginning Christmas Eve and concluding on January 07 many Inuit communities celebrated Quviakukvik, or Inuit new year (“Quviakukvik”). Ceremonies are held at appease spirits and bring good luck for the coming year (“Quviakukvik” ; Whitelaw, 2021). The sea goddess Sedna and sea creatures are central figures in the ceremonies (Whitelaw, 2021).
To further your learning, check out these resources:
- 5 things to know about Quviasugvik: In Search of Harmony by PIQSIQ. (2019). Vancouver Sun. (note: this article is not about the celebration but about Piqsiq’s katajjaq (throat singing) album of Christmas songs).
The Decolonizing the Library Working Group invites everyone to learn alongside us with Project 57. This project is a response to the TRC Call to Action 57, which calls on "federal, provincial, territorial, and municipal governments to provide education to public servants on the history of Aboriginal peoples."
For more information visit Indigenous Initiatives.