by Jay Sunni
Thirty-six years ago, in 1982, “The Assembly of First Nations called for a creation of a National Aboriginal Solidarity Day on June 21” and it was granted. From then henceforth, the month of June was recognized as National Aboriginal History Month in Canada. During this month, the history, culture, and languages of Aboriginal Canadians (First Nations, Inuit, and Metis) are celebrated nationally.
This year, in Alberta, these celebrations were not limited to larger cities such as Edmonton, smaller cities such as St Albert took part in the celebrations as well. On June 24th, at Lions Park, Sir Winston Churchill Avenue, hundreds of Aboriginal Canadians from various regions across Alberta were in St Albert for the National Aboriginal Day Festival.
Some of the festivities of the day included face painting for children, games, and performances by First Nation drummers and dancers, Metis bands and jiggers, and Inuit entertainers. The festival began with The Grand Entry, a “parade of dignitaries and dancers” carrying the Canadian flag and the Aboriginal flags. The dancers were then followed by “veterans, those in active military duty, [and members of the RCMP].” Other attendees of the event included St Albert Mayor – Cathy Heron, MP-Michael Cooper, MLA-Marie Renault, and MLA-Trevor Horne.
