Winnipeg, MB - Tomorrow, Friday, June 20, the City of Winnipeg will hold celebrations in the courtyard at City Hall, 510 Main Street, to mark National Aboriginal Day.
The Celebration begins at 11:30 a.m. with a welcoming prayer by an Elder, followed by remarks by dignitaries and guests. There will be a variety of Aboriginal entertainment such as First Nation and Metis dancers and Aboriginal cuisine, including bison burgers, pickerel, wild rice, bannock and soup available for purchase.
The City of Winnipeg has developed and supported a number of programs to enhance its commitment to Aboriginal relations, including the City’s Aboriginal Youth Strategy, Oshki Annishinabe Nigaaniwak (Young Aboriginal People Leading) and other corporate and community initiatives such as the creation of the Aboriginal Relations Division, the Aboriginal Relations Leadership Team, and support for the Aboriginal Employees Group. The 2013 formation of this 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.
The above employee groups have come together to plan the celebration of National Aboriginal Day, which was proclaimed by the Governor General in 1996 and provides Canadians an opportunity to acknowledge the unique achievements of First Nations, Metis and Inuit Peoples.
For more information on National Aboriginal Day (which falls on Saturday, June 21), please visit: Government of Canada - National Aboriginal Day.