Aboriginal Engagement Success By 6 and North Thompson Aboriginal Cultural Centre are excited to be hosting National Aboriginal Day, which will be held at the Dutch Lake Community Centre in Clearwater on June 21. Festivities will start at 12 noon and continue until 6 p.m. There will be displays, crafts, music, fun for the family, food, local vendors selling their crafts, games for all and much more.
This event is open to everyone and we encourage families to come and have fun while sharing in the Aboriginal culture.
We invite participants to set up a booth and join in the festivities. For more information, call the Centre at 250-674-3703 or email me at cindy.wilgosh@gmail.com.
Confirmed participants already include Tipi Treats (yes, there will be bannock), Roxanne - responsible gaming, Michif Metis Museum, Derrick Whiteskycloud, Success By 6 with kids' activities, Raft River Rockhounds, Silver Tones will play music, handmade soaps, Scentsy, Kathy Downie, Clearwater Royal Purple, Mystic Dreams, Changes that Heal, just to name a few.
There will be special draws for Dad’s only. So, bring your lawn chair or blanket and come enjoy the day.
National Aboriginal Day takes place on June 21, giving indigenous people and Canadians alike a chance to celebrate the culture and heritage of First Nations, Metis and Inuit people across the country.
It takes place on this particular day because it coincides with the summer solstice, the longest day of the year.
"National Aboriginal Day is a day to remember our past leaders — their hard work and their legacy for self-determination left to us to carry on,” Harry Nice Jr. of the Gitwinksihlkw Nisga'a village government said in a statement.
The day was established after the National Indian Brotherhood, a precursor to the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), mounted a campaign to have the date recognized as National Aboriginal Solidarity Day in 1982.
Quebec's legislature recognized June 21 as a day to celebrate indigenous culture in 1991.
Five years later, the Sacred Assembly, a national meeting of indigenous and non-indigenous people, called for a national day to recognize Aboriginal contributions to Canada. June 21 was officially declared National Aboriginal Day by Governor-General Romeo LeBlanc in 1996. National Aboriginal Day on June 21 kick starts Celebrate Canada! an 11 day celebration that also includes Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day (June 24), Canadian Multiculturalism Day (June 27) and concludes with Canada Day (July 1)!
Please save July 1 for the conclusion of the celebrations at the Wells Gray Information Center. We plan a Canada Day with a twist; you don’t want to miss.
Looking forward to seeing all of you at National Aboriginal Day!
Cindy Wilgosh
Aboriginal Engagement Success By 6
North Thompson Aboriginal Cultural Centre