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PHOTOS: Prince Albert celebrates National Aboriginal Day

Jun 21, 2015 | 12:08 PM

National Aboriginal Day is a time to celebrate aboriginal culture with the entire community.

There are activities for the whole family throughout the day at Kinsmen Park. For the kids there are games, crafts, face painting and storytelling.

The stage will have entertainment all day, until closing ceremonies at 6 p.m.

On a more serious side, a march for missing aboriginal women will take place at The Brick 12:45.

History of the day

The Assembly of First Nations, known then as the National Indian Brotherhood, called for the creation of National Aboriginal Solidarity Day in 1982.

In 1995, the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples recommended the designation of a National First Peoples Day.

That same year, a national conference of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people, known as the Sacred Assembly, called for a national holiday to celebrate the contributions of Aboriginal peoples.

National Aboriginal Day was recognized in 1996 by then Governor General Roméo LeBlanc, through a proclamation. It is part of the Celebrate Canada program along with Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day, Canadian Multiculturalism Day and Canada Day.

Schedule of local events (all will be held at Kinsmen Park):

7 a.m. – Tipis raised

8 a.m. – Pipe ceremony

11:30 a.m. – Opening Ceremonies

12:45- March for missing aboriginal women (Starting at the parking lot in front of The Brick)

Free barbeque for lunch starting at noon (sponsored by CUPE 4777)

Free cake (donated by Safeway)

1 p.m. – Round dance

2 p.m. – Riverside jiggers

3 p.m. – Ongoing entertainment for the rest of the day

6 p.m. – Closing ceremonies 

asoloducha@panow.com

Twitter: @princealbertnow