The 2nd Annual National Aboriginal Day Festival will be held on June 18 at Lakeshore Resort and Campground.
Lakeshore Resort and Campground is located approximately 5 km south of Windermere, B.C. on the shores of beautiful Lake Windermere. The Festival will begin at 10 a.m. with the Grand Entry and run until 7 p.m. The theme of the day this year is “Building partnerships, Building futures”.
One of the organizers of the event this year is Bob Ede who sees the event as a way for people to come together and learn about different cultures.
“We had it last year and it was a wonderful time. We have both aboriginal and non-aboriginal cultures coming together.
The goal of the day is to highlight aboriginal culture and the history of people in this area. This is for people who have been here a long time and others who it will be new to,” Ede said.
The event will feature several speakers including Strater Crowfoot, CEO and Executive Director of Indian Oil and Gas Canada, Sgt. Marko Shehovac, Nic Milligan and Doug Clovechok.
“That is the business side of the day. We have some great speakers coming to the event who will be talking about business aspects,” Ede said.
The Festival will showcase two talented native groups; the Sookenai Singers from Cranbrook and the Yakunuki Drum Group from Creston. Traditional dancer, Leon Cranebear will return this year to perform.
Throughout the day, there will be musical acts including the Halfsacks, Jade Bowen, Combo Akimbo, Charles Desvents, Ken Trusler, Pete Penkala and Rachel Mari Kimber.
The day promises to be fun for the entire family with arts and crafts demonstrations planned along with several exhibits. There will be face painting, food vendors and door prizes.
Everyone is welcome at the event. The cost of admission is free, so be sure to join in celebrating National Aboriginal Day.
“The event is great. There is lots of food, music, drumming and dancers. Someone will be chipping arrow heads along with exhibits of the artifacts and aboriginal baskets. It is just a great event,” Ede said.
Breakfast will be available from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. The Festival is presented by the Akisqnuknik Development Corporation.