During the month of June communities across Canada will be celebrating Aboriginal people and culture. On Friday, June 15, the 13th annual Aboriginal Day celebration is happening at the Heritage Pavilion in Stony Plain.

A number of partners are joining together to host the event including Parkland County, Town of Stony Plain, Alberta Parenting for the Future, Aboriginal Parent Link Center, McMan, Alberta Health Services, Paul First Nation Administration, Paul First Nation Health & Community Wellness, Alexander First Nation, Native Counselling Services of Alberta, Edmonton and Area Child and Family Services Authority.

Aboriginal Day is open to the public and organizers are predicting that they will see more than 2,000 people attend including local schools.

“The purpose of Aboriginal Day is to bring people from various Aboriginal communities together with the out lying communities that are around us,” said co-chair, Aboriginal Day planning committee and manager, Stony Plain/ Spruce Grove Office, Edmonton Region Child and Family Services, Edward Garrick.

“This time of year we celebrate indigenous people in Canada by recognizing who’s in our neighbourhood. We get together to celebrate what are those aspects of the various cultures. The key is to open that door for non-Aboriginal people to come and start experiencing these different aspects that Aboriginal people bring to our community.”

Garrick also said that each year the event continues to grow and that they are encouraged by the enthusiastic participation of partner’s, whom of which this event would not be possible.

The day starts at 9 am with a traditional grand entry and prayers. There will be many activities to explore throughout the day including craft tables, tiny tots tee pee, the popular Northern Inuit Games, a petting zoo, traditional regalia fashion show, information booths and various vendors.
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