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National Aboriginal Day Featured Events

Here are just a few of the National Aboriginal Day events taking place across B.C. and Canada.

National Aboriginal Day at Trout Lake

Date & Time: Sunday June 21, 9:00am – 5:00pm

Location: Starting at 1607 Hastings (Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre) and moving to Trout Lake (3350 Victoria Drive).

This full day of community-based events on Coast Salish territory will showcase and celebrate the diversity of Aboriginal people from across Canada. First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples gather to share their spirit, experiences, stories, songs, art and dance with each other and the general community.

All events are FREE, and all Aboriginal community members and supporters are welcome. This is a family-friendly event, no alcohol or drugs are permitted. Make sure you bring your cameras and video recorders!

The day starts at 9:00am with a free pancake breakfast which runs until 11am, and is followed by a Friendship Walk to Trout Lake, and culminates in a community festival from 12:00 to 5:00, including a Teepee Village with activities for children and families, live entertainment, an arts and crafts fair, community partner exhibits, canoe tours and more.

Learn more here: http://www.bcnationalaboriginalday.com/.

Watch highlights from 2014’s celebration:

Victoria Aboriginal Cultural Festival

Dates: Friday, June 19, 2015 - Sunday, June 21, 2015

Location: Royal BC Museum campus, 675 Belleville Street, Victoria

Join the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations in celebrating National Aboriginal Day weekend with music, dance, food and the arts and best of all, it’s all FREE!

The 2015 Aboriginal Cultural Festival is three days of spectacular performances on an outdoor stage in the plaza at the Royal BC Museum in the heart of downtown Victoria, BC. Each day starts with performances from the two local Host Nations and follows with shows from Aboriginal performers from across the province as well as a show from 3-time World Hoop Dancing Champion Alex Wells!

Aboriginal artisans will be on-site with their goods on sale – carvings, prints, jewelry and more. Plus you can watch special artisan demonstrations and learn more about the creative process from the artisans themselves.

Sample amazing food from a unique collaboration between the Songhees Nation and Chef Roger. Mouth watering BBQ salmon, fry bread, and the traditional clam chowder that stole the show last year!

Learn more here: https://www.aboriginalbc.com/events/aboriginal-cultural-festival/

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K’omoks National Aboriginal Day

Date & Time: June 21, 1:00-8:00pm

Location: 3320 Comox Road (the village site of K’omoks First Nation), Courtenay.

Check out the crafts for kids. Try out the half pipe with “Get on Board Snow, Surf and Skate Youth Outreach” skateboarders. Browse the Art Gallery and the tents of Aboriginal Artisans. Enjoy some excellent traditional foods such as buffalo burgers, candied salmon, fresh bannock with homemade berry jam, and fresh squeezed icy lemonade or even a traditional Cotton Candy! To cap off the fantastic day will be an exciting & unique performance by Canadian recording artists “A Tribe Called Red”!

Learn more here: http://www.cumberlandvillageworks.com/events/national-aboriginal-day-w-atcr/.

Kootenays Aboriginal Day Festival

Date & Time: Saturday June 20 from 9:00am onwards

Location: Lakeshore Resort and Campground (3151 Highway 93/95), Windemere, BC

A cross cultural event collectively presented by Akisqnuk First Nation and Shuswap Indian Band. Come join in listening to the drum groups, watching the dancers and learning of the culture. Check out the vendors and demonstrations. Food vendors will also be on site.

Learn more here: https://www.facebook.com/events/750548701731331/

National Aboriginal Day – Langley

Date & Time: Sunday June 21, 12:00pm – 3:00pm

Location: Douglas Park (2055 Douglas Crescent), Langley, BC

Presented by the Lower Fraser Valley Aboriginal Society, a free, fun afternoon in the park with local vendors, food, and activities for the kids.

Learn more here: https://www.facebook.com/LFVAS?_rdr

National Aboriginal Day Community Celebration – Nanaimo

Date & Time:Sunday, June 21, 10 am to 2 pm

Location: Bowen Park (500 Bowen Road, picnic area off Wall Street), Nanaimo

A great day filled with community, family, friends and culture. Join us on Sunday June 21st. Free event, open to everyone.

Learn more here: https://www.facebook.com/NanaimoAboriginalCentre

JIBC National Aboriginal Day Celebration – New Westminster

Date & Time:Wednesday, June 17, 2015 10 am to 2:30 pm

Location: JIBC New Westminster (715 McBride Blvd), New Westminster

National Aboriginal Day in Canada gives people of all walks of life the opportunity to celebrate and share knowledge about Aboriginal peoples' values, customs, languages, and culture. Events and activities are taking place across Canada during the week.

Learn more here: http://www.jibc.ca/events/national-aboriginal-day-celebration

National Aboriginal Day – Williams Lake

Date & Time: Sunday June 21, 10 am to 2:30 pm

Location:Boitanio Park (Borland St. & 7th Ave.), Williams Lake

National Aboriginal Day in Canada gives people of all walks of life the opportunity to celebrate and share knowledge about Aboriginal peoples' values, customs, languages, and culture. Events and activities are taking place across Canada during the week.

Learn more here: http://northernshuswaptribalcouncil.com/cms/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/AB-Day-2015.png

First Peoples’ Festival - Victoria

Date & Time: Sunday June 19 - 21

Location:Inner Harbour Ship Point (wharf and broughton), Victoria

Join the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations in celebrating National Aboriginal Day weekend with music, dance, food and the arts and best of all, it’s all FREE!

The 2015 Aboriginal Cultural Festival is three days of spectacular performances on an outdoor stage in the plaza at the Royal BC Museum in the heart of downtown Victoria, BC. Each day starts with performances from the two local Host Nations and follows with shows from Aboriginal performers from across the province as well as a show from 3-time World Hoop Dancing Champion Alex Wells!

Aboriginal artisans will be on-site with their goods on sale – carvings, prints, jewelry and more. Plus you can watch special artisan demonstrations and learn more about the creative process from the artisans themselves.

Sample amazing food from a unique collaboration between the Songhees Nation and Chef Roger. Mouth watering BBQ salmon, fry bread, and the traditional clam chowder that stole the show last year!

Learn more here: https://www.aboriginalbc.com/events/first-peoples-festival/

National Aboriginal Day - Richmond

Date & Time: Sunday, June 21, 1 pm to 3 pm

Location:Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site (12138 Fourth Avenue), Richmond

Join us for the Richmond Youth Services Agency’s National Aboriginal Day in Richmond at the Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site. The event will feature presentations by Henry Charles and local dignitaries, in addition to storytelling, poetry readings and dance performances. The celebration will take place outdoors, and is free of admission.

Learn more here: http://gulfofgeorgiacannery.org/events/national-aboriginal-day-in-richmond

Whistler National Aboriginal Day

Date & Time: Friday, June 19, 10 am to 4 pm

Location: Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre (4584 Blackcomb Way), Whistler

Celebrate National Aboriginal Day in Whistler at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre. Facility tours will run every hour throughout the day, beginning with a traditional welcome song and followed by a movie, gallery tour, and introduction to each of the crafting stations.

Learn more here: https://www.aboriginalbc.com/events/whistler-national-aboriginal-day/

57th Annual June Sports

Date & Time: Thursday, June 18 to Saturday, June 20

Location: Various locations, Alert Bay

Join us for the 54th Annual June Sports with a First Nations Soccer Tournament, Salmon Prince & Princess Pageant, Parade, kids & adult races and more!

Learn more here: http://www.alertbay.ca

Annual Aboriginal Day Festival

Date & Time: Monday, June 22, 11 am to 3 pm

Location: Veteran’s Memorial Park (Aldwynd Road), Langford

Learn more here: http://ipsociety.ca/events/aboriginal-day/

REST OF CANADA

2015 Aboriginal Day Celebration – Alberta

Date & Time: Friday June 19, 8:30am – 3:00pm

Location: Heritage Park Pavilion, 5100-41 Avenue, Stony Plain, AB

Hundreds of children, families and school groups are expected to gather in celebration of National Aboriginal Day at the Heritage Park Pavilion in Stony Plain, on June 19, 2015.

The Edmonton-area celebration is jointly planned by a number of partners including Alexander First Nation, Paul First Nation, Enoch Cree Nation, the Government of Alberta Human Services, the Town of Stony Plain and Parkland County. This year’s theme is “A New Day”.

In addition to it being a fantastic opportunity for all families to spend time connecting to Aboriginal culture, it is also another opportunity for children and youth in care to stay connected to their cultures.

Aboriginal Day is open to the public from 8:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. and features a wide range of activities and experiences. There will be traditional Métis and First Nations dancing and drumming, arts and crafts, cultural teachings, Aboriginal vendors and a BBQ lunch.

Learn more here: https://www.facebook.com/AboriginalDayAB

Aboriginal History Month Celebration

Date & Time: Wednesday June 24, 12:00pm – 8:00pm

Location: Yonge & Dundas Square, Toronto, ON

This year they have an exciting line-up of entertainers, including Digging Roots headlining! As well as, all day Kid’s Arts & Crafts Tent, craft vendors exhibiting and selling their wares and Aboriginal agencies showcasing what they are doing in the community.

Learn more here: http://www.ncct.on.ca/events.php

Arctic Celebrations Under a Midnight Sun

Date & Time: Sunday June 21

Location: Inuvik, NWT

Inuvik is a diverse and vibrant community.  In Canada, June 21st is Aboriginal Day and in Inuvik, Northwest Territories it is a day to celebrate our local Metis, Gwich'in, Inuvialuit people and cultures. Events normally include traditional drumming, dancing, and foods. So come join us to get an authentic taste of what the North has to offer. Take part in the Midnight Sun Run and celebrate the summer solstice with warm temperatures, sunlit streets at midnight, and plenty of activities for every wanderlusting soul.

Learn more here: https://www.facebook.com/Inuvik.NWT.Canada

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