Canada celebrates Aboriginal people

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People across the country are gearing up for an 11-day celebration of Canada. And considering the history of how Canada came to be, it is more than fitting that the festivities begin with a day set aside to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions and culture of Aboriginal people.

National Aboriginal Day has been celebrated on June 21 since 1996, although in Quebec the day was set aside to celebrate Aboriginal culture beginning in 1990.

The day was chosen to coincide with the summer solstice, a time when many Aboriginal cultures took time to celebrate their heritage.

June 21 also marks the beginning of Celebrate Canada, 11 days of celebrations that include National Aboriginal Day, St. Jean Baptiste Day-an annual celebration of the summer solstice and of French Culture-on June 24, Canadian Multicultural Day on June 27 and Canada Day on July 1.

The theme of this year's Celebrate Canada festivities is Acadia: First Dialogues-The Meeting of Two Worlds, which celebrates not the founding of Acadia, but the contributions Aboriginal people made to the lives of those early settlers.

For more information on how Saskatchewan plans to Celebrate Canada, go to www.celebratecanada.sk.ca. Or visit the national Celebrate Canada site at www.pch.gc.ca/special/canada and click on the Fun Zone link to enjoy online games and activities that test your knowledge about the relationships that were formed between Aboriginal people and the Acadian newcomers.

For more information about National Aboriginal Day, visit the Indian and Northern Affairs Web site at www.inac.gc.ca/nad. The site has a listing of events scheduled for National Aboriginal Day across the country. You can also get information on what's being planned in your community by contacting your local friendship centre.