Calgary, AB — Oki, Tansi, Danit-ada, Aba-wath-tech, Paarutit, Hello! Aboriginal Awareness Week Calgary (AAWC) is hosting its annual Family Day Festival and Powwow on Saturday, June 22 to raise awareness and celebrate the cultural diversity of Canada’s Indigenous Peoples. This year, for the first time, APTN Indigenous Day Live (IDL) joins Calgary’s event, hosting performances by well-known and emerging musicians, including Blue Rodeo, Ghostkeeper and Bebe Buckskin.
This year we are at Fort Calgary, named by the North West Mounted Police in 1876. Since time immemorial, tribes would meet for trading on the site known as “Moh’kins’tsis” for the Niitsitapi, “Wîchîspa” for the Ĩyaħe Nakoda, “Otôskwanihk” for the Nēhiyawēwin, and “Guts’ists’i” for the Tsuut’ina peoples, and “Mitoskwan” for the Métis all referring to ‘elbow’ or the meeting of two rivers. By highlighting this living history with our continued presence, we are looking forward to keeping the culture and language alive and strong for many years to come.
As always, we will continue to host the Caravan pancake breakfast starting off our day at 9:00 AM along with the Family Day activities for all ages. From 12 PM – 4:45 PM is the annual Traditional Pow-wow where Sorrel Rider (Siksika) is participating as the lead host drum. Ultimately we are excited to be showcasing our local Indigenous talent by working together with all neighbouring organizations who are celebrating in the month of June.
AAWC’s Family Day Festival and Powwow is an annual event, held each year near National Indigenous Peoples Day. The event is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate our First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities and their rich heritages, traditions and cultures. Everyone — Indigenous people and non-Indigenous people — are invited to attend this special event. For more information, visit aawc.ca.
Let’s celebrate Canada 150 by working towards a more inclusive Canada.
