Aboriginal Awareness Week & Membertou 400
Aboriginal Awareness Week, first introduced in 1992, is held on the four days that follow the Victoria Day long weekend. It was designed to increase awareness of Aboriginal peoples within the Canadian mosaic and the public service. It has evolved into a week to honour the many Aboriginal cultures in Canada, including the Métis, the Inuit and First Nations. This year’s Aboriginal Awareness Week is of particular significance as we approach the 400th anniversary of the baptism of Grand Chief Henri Membertou which will be celebrated from June 24-28 on the Halifax Commons. Membertou 400 will include a traditional Mi’kmaq village where First Nations artists, and artisans share their culture through oral story-telling and demonstrations, including the art of canoe-making and basket-weaving. Colourful competitions will also be held as representatives from dozens of first nations bands from across Canada and the United States don their traditional regalia and take the stage in hopes of taking home top prize as the weekend’s best native dancers and drummers.
Other highlights of the weekend will include a Youth concert, a free concert by internationally-renowned singer and song-writer Buffy Sainte Marie and a historical tribute to the Mi’kmaq community.
Take a look at the MEMBERTOU 400 WEBSITE for more details on the event.
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