National Aboriginal Day

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 Metis 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 Metis Dancers, led by artistic director Yvonne Chartrand, reflect the unique cultural history of the Metis - a blending of French, Scottish, Irish, English, Scandinavian and First Nations traditions. The Louis Riel Metis 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!