City of Winnipeg employees to celebrate National Aboriginal Day

Released: June 20, 2016 at 4:12 p.m.

Winnipeg, MB - City of Winnipeg employees will celebrate National Aboriginal Day tomorrow, Tuesday, June 21, in the City Hall courtyard, 510 Main Street.

“This year’s Annual National Aboriginal Day celebration is extra special for Winnipeg given that it is taking place during the 2016 Year of Reconciliation,” said Mayor Brian Bowman. “National Aboriginal Day is about remembering our roots and celebrating them together, and there is no better place to celebrate than Winnipeg.”

The City’s National Aboriginal Day celebration will begin at 11:30 a.m. with a welcoming prayer and smudge by Elder Carol Moar and honour song by Wayne Ruby Jr., followed by greetings from dignitaries. Festivities will include First Nations, Métis, and Inuit traditional performances, and interactive activities such as bannock making, jig lessons and round dancing, among others. The Grace Café will also have an Indigenous-themed menu for this special day.

The City of Winnipeg continuously strives to further strengthen relations with Indigenous peoples and build an inclusive, diverse community. The City has committed to enhancing Indigenous relations through the following:

  • Mayor Bowman’s declaration of 2016 as the Year of Reconciliation and the commitment to developing an Urban Indigenous Accord for Winnipeg, and enhancing Indigenous Awareness training for City employees;
  • The creation of the Mayor’s Indigenous Advisory Circle in 2015;
  • The creation of the Indigenous Relations Division and Indigenous 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 about the City’s initiatives, please visit City of Winnipeg - Indigenous Relations Division.

2016 marks the 20th anniversary of Canada’s National Aboriginal Day. Held every year on June 21, it is a day for our nation to acknowledge the accomplishments and contributions of Indigenous peoples. Many Indigenous 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 the Government of Canada - National Aboriginal Day.

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