National Aboriginal Day is fun and meaningful

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The clear sky and the scorching sun beckon the arrival of summer, but for Aboriginal communities across Canada, June 21 means more than the first day of summer. It is also National Aboriginal Day.

Organizers at the Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre are gearing up for a variety of events to celebrate Aboriginal community involvement in the city. This year's celebrations will be held on Saturday June 23 so that more people can join in the fun. Confirmed activities include a hairdo contest where Aboriginal hair stylists compete for the most creative and fashionable look on top. They will also demonstrate their generosity by offering free haircuts after the contest.

From noon to 6 p.m., participants are invited to bingo games, workshops, powwows, cooking demonstrations and a Bannock baking contest; while Elders speak their wisdom and musicians sing and drum.

For the little ones, the centre will set up four tables of creativity to unleash their artistic potential.

But Aboriginal Day isn't just about fun and play, it was created to help communities build a bridge of understanding across very different, and sometimes conflicted cultures.

"Education is key to disposing of the negative aspects within our cultures and negative thoughts toward our people," said organizer Joel Koette. "[That's why] Aboriginal Day also promotes education, awareness of drugs and healthy lifestyles."

For more information or to volunteer your time, contact the Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre Society at (604) 251-4844 or drop them an e-mail at info@vafcs.org.

Other Aboriginal Day celebrations in the city include Aboriginal Blues at the Yale on June 21 at 8 pm, featuring a concert with George Leach, Clyde Roulette and Billy Joe Green. Tickets are $15. For reservations call (604) 684-2532.

Also from June 22 to 24, the Vancouver Art Gallery will hold traditional and contemporary dance and music performances as well as an arts and crafts fair. Admission is free.

In Victoria, a new sculpture by artist Chris Johnson, also known as Ice Bear, will be unveiled on National Aboriginal Day. The sculpture, "Four Winds" is located on the inner harbor walkway at the foot of Swift St. in Victoria. Contact Charronne Douglas by e-mail at icebearstudio@home.com for more information.

More than 25,000 people across the country took part in National Aboriginal Day activities last year, with more than 250 events from coast to coast.

A number of promotional materials have been created by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) for this year's celebrations. The posters distributed for last year's National Aboriginal Day are available again this year, along with postcards, a bookmark and a pamphlet.

New to this year's National Aboriginal Day materials is a children's activity book. A children's game featuring fun facts about First Nations, Inuit and Metis people is also new. A National Aboriginal Day screensaver is also available, and can be downloaded onto your PC for free from INAC's Web site at http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/nad. The promotional materials can be ordered online or by calling (819) 997-0380.

A list of events planned across the country can be found on the Web site as well.