By Tiffany Cassidy

First Nations culture set to come alive in PA for National Aboriginal Day

Jun 20, 2012 | 12:51 PM

Liza Bird and her family will be soaking up culture at National Aboriginal Day Thursday in Prince Albert.

Bird will be performing with her nieces, who are eight, 10, and 12. They have multiple songs ready for the event, including one in Cree, their traditional language. Bird said the day provides a perfect opportunity to show the young girls how people are working to keep traditions alive

“I’m excited to expose them to that,” she said. “Because they’re so young, seeing other performers that are aboriginal will I think just inspire them.”

National Aboriginal Day is a day where Aboriginal people come together to celebrate who they are. It is celebrated not only all over Canada, but also in various parts of the world. Events will take place from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Kinsmen Park.

Darlene Alexson, Programs Director of the Friendship Centre, is organizing the event. She said the cultural celebration is for both aboriginal and non-aboriginal people.

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“For non-Aboriginal people I think it offers them the opportunity to see the things we do in our culture,” she said. “Just the fun that we have and we don’t need a whole lot of money to be able to come together and celebrate being First Nations.”

The day is scheduled full of cultural programming. Live music, pow-wow dancing demonstrations, and drumming will last until 7:30 p.m. Alexson said the singing group “Constant Reminder” from James Smith First Nations should impress everyone who comes.

Other attractions include a free barbeque at noon, Children’s games will start at 1:00 p.m. with face painting and jumping castles at 1:00 p.m.

Bird said she plans to bring her whole family to the event.

“This is really positive having the National Aboriginal Day here being organized to the extent that it is,” she said.

Alexson agreed that it is something special to provide people with in the city.

“A lot of things in our culture are dying,” said Alexson, mentioning hide tanning, and traditional art. “I think in order to keep our culture that we need to be able to offer this to the community.”

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