To the editor;
Share the celebration in Clearwater!
Here in Clearwater the Aboriginal Engagement Success By 6 and the N.T. Aboriginal Cultural Centre, are excited to be hosting National Aboriginal Day, on Sunday, June 19, that will be held at the Dutch Lake Community Centre. Festivities will start at 11 a.m. With the welcome ceremony at 12 noon, and will go until 5 p.m.
There will be activities all day long; displays, crafts, music, fun for the family, food, local community vendors selling their crafts, and much more.
Everyone is invited. This family event is open to everyone in the North Thompson Valley and we encourage families to come and have fun while sharing in the Aboriginal Culture.
We are honoured to have Keith Henry, Chair/Chief Executive Officer at Aboriginal Tourism Association of Canada, along with Rowan & Quinn Métis dancers from Surrey, Sherry Daniels with the BC Métis Federation, Tipi Treats (yes there will be bannock) Roxanne with Responsible Gaming, Mischief Métis Museum, Derrick Whiteskycloud, and Aboriginal Engagement Success By 6 with kids activities and crafts. This event is open for everyone.
There will be a special draw just for dad’s only. So bring your lawn chair or blanket and come enjoy the day.
On June 21, Canadians from all walks of life are invited to participate in the many National Aboriginal Day events that will be taking place from coast to coast. This is a special day to celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding achievements of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples in Canada.
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).
We are inviting 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 .
Looking forward to seeing all of you at National Aboriginal Day.
Yours In Community Spirit.
Cindy Wilgosh
Clearwater, B.C.