Celebrate your culture on June 21

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National Aboriginal Day is an opportunity for Canadians to celebrate the diverse culture and achievements of Aboriginal peoples. Many Aboriginal people will be celebrating their culture on June 21 and Canadians are welcome to unite with them to participate in the Edmonton celebrations.

Three new events have been added to the Edmonton weekend festival. The first annual Canada-wide cleansing ceremony is free of charge and open to the public. It will take place in the courtyard ballroom of the Ramada Hotel on the Kingsway on June 20.

This event was created by CHIP hospitality to enhance partnerships with the Aboriginal people across Canada.

"It's a business that we value and we have pride in doing business with the Aboriginal community," said Caroline Thompson, regional director of Sales and Marketing for Northern Alberta for CHIP.

The event will commence at 9:30 a.m. with an honor song by Wendy Walker. Bertha Clark-Jones, will represent Aboriginal veteran. Hoop and Metis dancers will be in attendance, as will be a Treaty six representative, artist, Chris Lynch Aquart, city officials, local Aboriginal day coordinator Heather Poitras.

A proclamation will be read and an Inuit representative will conduct the closing ceremony.

Smudging will only be available to the speakers, presenters and performers. Thompson is targeting the smudge for 10 a.m., to signify the 10th year of National Aboriginal Day. Following the smudge, bannock, berries, coffee and tea will be served.

"The purpose of this event is to celebrate the diverse cultures and many contributions to Canada of the First Nations, Metis and Inuit people," said Thompson "It's really just to celebrate the culture and to celebrate National Aboriginal Day."

As apart of Aboriginal Day, Sun and Moon Visionaries in Edmonton has created a one of a kind tipi camp that will erected in the Fort Edmonton Park on June 26.

Four tipis will be set up representing the north, west, south and east. The camp is called the grassland Mihkiwahap. That historically means in Cree home or shelter. The camp is based on traditional teachings that date back a hundred years ago. Elders will be onsite to share stories and teachings of old customs.

"I think what Fort Edmonton is trying to do is bring in real Aboriginal culture," said Jaret Sinclair-Gibson, executive director at Sun and Moon.

Inside of the tipis there will be displays of Native artifacts for people to pick-up and observe. Workshops will be hosted by Elders, and Sun and Moon Visionaries has invited a Blackfoot from the south to come in and conduct warrior shirt teachings.

According to Gibson, everyone is welcome to join but there is a fee involved. It's $9.50 for adults and $7.00 for youth and seniors.

"I hope that we can pull this off in a good way and present our community and culture to a fine extent and making it fun, enjoyable and knowledgeable."

Smudging The Streets is another new event to the Edmonton Aboriginal Day weekend festival. It will take place west of Edmonton on Friday, June 24.

For more information on these events and National Aboriginal Day visit www.edmonton.ca