National Aboriginal Day is an annual event held that celebrates the unique and vibrant culture of Aboriginal people across Canada. RYSA and the Pathways Aboriginal Centre have organized a local celebration of this day for Richmond for the last two years. This annual event is truly a celebration of culture, food, friends and community. There is always great food, Aboriginal films, entertainment, health information, fun and educational activities, workshops and of course new friends! This event was made possible with the support of: Canadian Heritage, Vancouver Coastal Health, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, United Way, the City of Richmond, local donors and the hard work and help from the Richmond Aboriginal Advisory Committee and many volunteers.

Contact Pathways Aboriginal Centre for more information at 604.271.7600.

We are excited to announce the arrival of National Aboriginal Day in Richmond on June 19th, 2010 at the Minoru Cultural Centre! National Aboriginal Day is an annual event held in celebration of the unique and vibrant culture of Aboriginal people all across Canada. For the past two years the Richmond Youth Service Agency and the Pathways Aboriginal Centre have organized and hosted a local celebration of this day for the Richmond community.

This annual event is a special celebration filled with culture, food, family, friends and community! The day will involve an assortment of Aboriginal foods prepared by Chef Maluh, films, entertainment, fun and educational activities and workshops, health information and of course new friends. The event will feature a silent auction with proceeds going to fund youth attending the Pulling Together Canoe Journey. There will also be a wide array of local venders selling Aboriginal arts and goods. This year’s presentations and entertainment line-up will include:

• Opening presentations by Musqueam Councillor Nolan Charles, the Aboriginal Youth Council and local dignitaries
• The Louis Riel Métis Dancers – Compaigni V’ni Dansi
• Performance by Aboriginal artist M’Girl
• A Kloshe’nem mask workshop
• Sayget Kuulumgot Dancers  
• Coast Salish Performers

The Louis Riel Métis Dancers, led by artistic director Yvonne Chartrand, reflect the unique cultural history of the Métis – a blending of French, Scottish, Irish, English, Scandinavian and First Nations traditions. The Louis Riel Métis Dancers can be seen at local events and festivals throughout the year including celebrations on National Aboriginal Day; Canada Day; Louis Riel Day; and at the Talking Stick Festival.   

M’Girl mixes harmonies with Indigenous songs to create beautiful and inspiring music. Each member of M’Girl (Renae Morriseau, Jenifer Brousseau, and Tiare LaPorte) is a skilled singer and performance artist in her own right and together they create a unique blend of contemporary and traditional music. They have recently been featured on a European CD of Aboriginal music called Indian Reservation Blues.

The Sayget Kuulumgot or “People of One Heart” Dancers are composed of Tsimshian, Haida and Tsleil-Wauthuth singers and dancers. Through their songs they hope to follow their dance group’s namesake and be “People of One Heart.” 

National Aboriginal Day is made possible with the support of the following sponsors: Canadian Heritage, Vancouver Coastal Health, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, United Way, the City of Richmond and local donors. Finally, this event would not be possible without the help and commitment of the Richmond Aboriginal Advisory Committee as well as many hardworking volunteers. For more information or if you would like to volunteer please contact Rhiannon Bennett at 604-271-7600 ext. 150 or by email at rhiannon.bennett@rysa.bc.ca. We look forward to seeing you on June 19th for an amazing celebration!

National Aboriginal Day 2009 was a great success. We were honoured to have to following special guest speakers: Mayor Malcolm Brodie, MLA John Yap, Musqueam Elder Jeri Sparrow, National Aboriginal Role Model Alberta Prettyshield, Local writer Joanne Arnott, and Oskayak Youth Councilor Harper Campbell.

Our MC Theresa Point kept the day hip-hoping along! The Louis Riel Metis Dancers taught audience members to jig! M’Girl shared their beautiful voices with us and Christie Lee Charles impressed us all with her hip-hop in English and her Native language. Sayget Kuulumgot Dancers ended the day with their powerful drumming, singing and dancing. The Oskayak Youth Group kept the kids busy in their craft room all day. There was also a Resource Fair for people to connect with service agencies and venders selling arts and crafts.

Richmond Youth Service Agency and Pathways Aboriginal Centre would like to thank everyone that made the day a great success! We hope to see you for National Aboriginal Day 2010!

You can also download the poster for National Aboriginal Day 2009.