Celebrate Aboriginal culture in Saskatchewan

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Celebrations are being planned across the province of Saskatchewan to commemorate National Aboriginal Day on June 21.

In Regina, a full day of activities will be held in Wascana Park, beginning at 11 a.m. with a grand entry, opening prayer and greetings from government officials. Master of Ceremonies for the National Aboriginal Day activities in Regina will be Calvin Racette.

The day's events will kick off following the official opening with entertainment scheduled from 11:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Among the entertainers scheduled to perform are the First Nations dancers Lone Creek, Metis dancers Riel Reelers, and an Inuit drum group. A round dance will follow the entertainment. In addition a number of other activities will be taking place throughout the day.

From 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Street Culture Kids Project Inc. will provide face-painting, puzzle art, symbolic kite-making and art projects with Aboriginal themes.

From noon to 5 p.m., various Aboriginal artists will be displaying and selling their works, and a number of demonstrations will be held. The Regina Archaeological Society will be demonstrating atl and dart throwing, as well as how to make stone tools. Fresh Air Experience will be teaching canoeing and kayaking, as well as providing hands-on demonstrations of portaging. Those in attendance will get a chance to try their hand at lacrosse courtesy of the Saskatchewan Lacrosse Association, as well as an opportunity to try out log sawing and flour packing. Axe throwing will also be demonstrated.

At 5:30 p.m., an Aboriginal fashion show will be held in the Royal Saskatchewan Museum Auditorium organized by world-renowned designer Eva Lizotte. CBC news anchor Kristy Snell will serve as master of ceremonies for the show.

For more information about the National Aboriginal Day events in Regina, call Regional co-ordinator Tracy Stevens at (306) 780-6527.

In Saskatoon, a whole day of celebrations are planned for National Aboriginal Day to be held at Kiwanis Park starting at 11:30 a.m. and running until about 9 p.m.

The day's events begin with a grand entry and opening prayer. Entertainment will begin after the opening, followed by a free lunch speakers and more entertainment.

Among the entertainment scheduled for the Saskatoon festivities are performances by a 12-year-old fiddler and square dancers from Duck Lake, as well as a fashion show. A dance group will perform different powwow styles, including hoop dancing, and a band will be performing throughout the day.

For more information about the Saskatoon National Aboriginal Day festivities, call May Henderson at (306) 244-0174.

In Prince Albert, three schools within Prince Albert Roman Catholic Separate School Division No. 6 will be taking part in National Aboriginal Day celebrations.

St. Michael's Community School and St. John's Community School will take part in the same program, with events taking place at St. Michael's in the morning and at St. John's in the afternoon. The program is being offered to Grade 4 through 8, with between 150 and 200 students expected to participate at each school.

Three sessions are scheduled for each school, with Inuvialuit Elder Fred Olaf Nulamaloak presenting information about the Inuit culture, Cree Elder Darrell Greyeyes presenting information about the Cree culture, and fiddler Dean Bernier and jigger Todd Bear representing the Metis culture. Each celebration will also include a feast and a round dance.

At St. Mary High School, National Aboriginal Day commemoration will be included as part of the mass, which opens the school's graduation celebrations to be held the evening of June 21.

Cree Elder Darrell Greyeyes will sing a welcoming song during the mass, and will make a presentation about National Aboriginal Day. The theme of National Aboriginal Day will also be incorporated into the prayers.

National Aboriginal Day events are also planned in Nipiwin, although plans were not finalized at press time. Organizers are looking at holdig a trade fair, featuring birchbark biters, basket-weaving, beading, bannock-making and dog sled rides.

For more information about plans for National Aboriginal Day in Nipiwin, call Hali Topinka at (306) 862-1700.

For more information and updates on what's going on across the province for National Aboriginal Day, you can also visit the NAD website at http://www.inac.gc.ca/june21/