Winnipeg, MB - City of Winnipeg employees will come together to celebrate National Aboriginal Day tomorrow, Friday, June 19, in the courtyard of City Hall, 510 Main Street. National Aboriginal Day recognizes and honours the cultures of First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples.
“National Aboriginal Day is a great opportunity for our community to come together and celebrate our First Nations, Metis, and Inuit peoples, whose rich culture, heritage, and traditions help make our growing city so vibrant,” said Mayor Brian Bowman. “Winnipeg sits at the crossroads of an ancient Aboriginal meeting place, and the City of Winnipeg is pleased to lead a celebration in honour of our indigenous peoples.”
The City’s National Aboriginal Day celebration will begin at 11:30 a.m. with a welcoming prayer and smudge teaching by Elder Carol Moar, followed by statements from dignitaries. There will be a variety of Aboriginal dance, music and visual art performers. The Grace Café will also have an Aboriginal themed menu for this special day.
In addition to an ongoing commitment to Aboriginal relations, the City has carried out the following initiatives:
- The creation of the Aboriginal Relations Division and Aboriginal Relations Leadership Team in 2013;
- The signing of a Memorandum of Collaboration with the Province of Manitoba and Government of Canada in 2010;
- City Council’s adoption of Oshki Annishinabe Nigaaniwak, the City of Winnipeg’s Aboriginal Youth Strategy in 2008; and
- The establishment of the Aboriginal Employee Group in 2002.
For more information the City’s Aboriginal initiatives, please visit City of Winnipeg - Aboriginal Relations Division.
Canada’s National Aboriginal Day is held every year on June 21. It is a day for our nation to acknowledge the accomplishments and contributions of Aboriginal peoples. Many Aboriginal communities have celebrated their culture around this time of year due to the significance of the summer solstice, the longest day of the year.
To learn more about Canada’s National Aboriginal Day, please visit Government of Canada - National Aboriginal Day.