APTN Aboriginal Day

Sheldon McRae, aPTn coMMunicaTionS cooRdinaToR I t all started right here in Winnipeg, and it's the eighth year aPTn brings you Aboriginal Day Live & Celebration on Saturday, June 21. it's also the first time the event is on national aboriginal day. aPTn invites all, aboriginals and non-aboriginals, to celebrate and take pride in canada's First nations, inuit and Métis Peoples. Join the celebration, the FRee activities, liVe concert and experience the fascinating mosaic of aboriginal culture at The Forks. Celebrations start at 11 a.m. You don't need a ticket or wristband; all you need to do is bring yourself, family and/or friends. The activities start with the opening of Celebration Village, where Manitoba's finest aboriginal artisans and food vendors will offer a feast for all senses. Performances will also energize the day at the First Nations, Inuit and Métis Cultural Stages through spectacular displays of song and dance; traditional and modern, or even a blend of both. The performances are on a rotating schedule, so you can enjoy them at your own pace. here's a rundown of what you can expect throughout the day. The First Nations Cultural Stage will feature the eskasoni Mi'kmaq dancers from nova Scotia, hoop dancer Jackson Beardy iii and singer/drummer Byron Beardy, and Winnipeg Folk Festival musician ila Barker. The next stage displays the talents of our northern friends and family. The Inuit Cultural Stage will feature nikki Komaksiutiksak and her daughters with their overwhelmingly popular inuit throat singing. You can also experience the richness and beauty of inuit culture through a sampling of nunavut's exquisite arts, crafts and traditions. now, it doesn't get more local than our next stage of entertainers. The Métis Cultural Stage will get your toes tapping with performances by The norman chief Memorial dancers and The ivan Flett Memorial dancers. The highly infectious energy of fantastic fiddles, joyous jigging and swinging sashes will put a grin on your face. in various forms, dance and music are definitely a major part of the day-long celebration. NCI FM will be onsite and set up with their bright, colourful tipi and liVe broadcast tent. Keep an eye out or your ears open, and drop by to say hi to one of their on-air personalities. don't be shy; you might even get to be on the radio during their liVe broadcast all day. crowd-pleasing additions that debuted last year are also back. The Aboriginal Day Competition Pow Wow – brought to you by Manito Ahbee Festival, welcomes all to experience the astonishing visual display and beauty of First nations song and dance, on the east end of The Forks site. Registration starts at noon, and the Grand entry begins at 1 p.m. For additional details see aboriginaldaylive.com. There's also another eye-catching activity happening on-site but it doesn't involve dance. The Skateboard Park & Competition – brought to you by Rhythm 104.7 will take over one of north america's top-rated skateboard parks with the latest in skateboarding demos. on-air personalities will broadcast liVe starting at 1 p.m. The full skate demo starts at noon, and the competition ramps up at 3 p.m. Registration will be on-site prior to each category. The celebration also recognizes youth by awarding a top- notch and design-minded individual who illustrates a flag symbolizing the distinctiveness and diversity of canada's aboriginal Peoples. The winning design of the national version of the Aboriginal Day Live & Celebration Flag Contest will also be revealed at the event. The contest encourages all youth to explore their creativity and express their pride of aboriginal culture. The talented creator of the winning flag design has been invited to Winnipeg to take part in Aboriginal Day Live & Celebration. cheer on the winner during their big moment, when they present their flag. even if you can't join in on the day's activities, stop by It'S A MASS gAtheRINg lIke No otheR; you have to experience it to believe it! >>

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