Celebrate across the country

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For many years Aboriginal people have celebrated the summer solstice on June 21 and in 1996, former governor general, Romeo Leblanc, officially declared it National Aboriginal Day.

This declaration has given thousands of people a chance to showcase the cultures of Inuit, First Nations and Metis people across the country and recognize the contributions that the first inhabitants of Canada have made.

Celebrations begin in Edmonton on June 18 and run to June 21. On the agenda is a variety of entertainment, games and storytelling. A round dance and feast will take place at the Canadian Native Friendship Centre.

Calgary will celebrate Native Awareness Week, which begins on June 17 and runs to June 21. The theme for the celebration "Year of the Mountain" will highlight the mountains as sacred places for Native people. Theatre, dance, music, and fashion are all part of the fun.

On June 22 at the Cadotte Lake School Grounds in the Peace River Region, an exciting day of entertainment has been arranged, featuring performers Jennifer Waniandy, Bev Ann Cardinal, Nathan Cunningham and Crystal Anne. The concert begins at 1 p.m., rain or shine. Call Glenn at (780) 629-3767 for information.

Check out your local Aboriginal organizations for lists of events in your area.

Aboriginal culture needs to be celebrated all year long.

At the Provincial Museum in Edmonton, the Syncrude Gallery of Aboriginal Culture features a number of exhibitions on the history of First Nations culture in Canada.

The Edmonton Art Gallery will feature an exhibition titled Alex Janvier: New Work in Watercolour. Born on a reserve near Cold Lake, Janvier is a painter, muralist and printmaker. A selection of his new works will be featured from June 29 to Sept. 15.

The Luxton Museum of the Plains Indian in Banff houses a collection of Plains First Nations artifacts, paintings, drawings, sculptures and photography, and is open from May 15 to Oct. 15.