Winnipeg, MB - Today, the City of Winnipeg and the City of Winnipeg’s Aboriginal Employee Group will hold celebrations at the Winnipeg Transit Base, 421 Osborne Street, to mark National Aboriginal Day. Events begin at 11:00 a.m. and will include bannock making and Pow Wow demonstrations, Metis fiddlers and dancers and more. Mayor Sam Katz will be attending an Elder Prayer and Smudging Ceremony beginning at 11:45 a.m.
The City of Winnipeg has developed and supported a number of programs to enhance the City’s commitment to Aboriginal relations, including the City’s Aboriginal Youth Strategy, Oshki Annishinabe Nigaaniwak (Young Aboriginal People Leading), and the Inter-Governmental Strategic Aboriginal Alignment Memorandum, as well as other corporate and community initiatives.
The creation of the Aboriginal Relations Division is a statement, commitment and demonstration by the City of Winnipeg that Aboriginal Relations is an important policy and program area mandated and funded by City Council, and best served by an enhanced, organization-wide profile.
National Aboriginal Day was proclaimed by the Governor General in 1996, and provides Canadians an opportunity to acknowledge the unique achievements of First Nations, Métis and Inuit.
For more information on National Aboriginal Day, visit: Government of Canada - National Aboriginal Day