For Immediate Release – June 10th, 2016
National Aboriginal Day Celebrations
Sainte-Marie among the Hurons is thrilled to be featuring the celebration of National Aboriginal Day, this year on Tuesday June 21st and coinciding with the summer solstice.
Instated twenty years ago, National Aboriginal Day recognizes the vibrant cultures and time-honoured traditions of our Indigenous people and pays tribute to the contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. Sainte-Marie will be celebrating Indigenous culture throughout the historic site with energetic and colourful performances of drumming, singing and dancing. Live performances will feature the Red Spirit Drum & Dancing Group and John Somosi hand drumming. As well, the day’s itinerary will include many hands-on activities including bannock making, Indigenous foods in the Sainte-Marie cookhouse, making and playing the “ring and pin” game, lacrosse demonstrations, and traditional planting of “The Three Sisters” seeds of corn, beans, and squash. Additional activities will include the demonstration of waterway locks and traditional fire starting.
“National Aboriginal Day at Sainte-Marie among the Hurons is one of our most engaging and entertaining special events. Our entire site is energized with the sights and sounds of dancing, drumming and the celebration of Indigenous culture”, described Will Baird, General Manager of Huronia Historical Parks. “Visitors are captivated by the traditional, hands-on activities and crafts including corn husk doll making and the authentic food demonstrations”, noted Baird.
National Aboriginal Day launches a full line-up of special events planned at Sainte-Marie among the Hurons this year. Visitors should stay tuned for details of the Bagattaway Lacrosse Festival on July 1st and 2nd, Feast! at Sainte-Marie on August 6th and exclusive “Sainte-Marie by Candlelight”, behind the scene tours on Thursday evenings throughout the summer.
For more information about National Aboriginal Day, please call (705) 526-7838, visit the website at www.hhp.on.ca or www.facebook.com/saintemarieamongthehurons. Everyone is welcome to join this dynamic celebration which runs from 10am to 5pm June 21st. The admission fee of $12.00 per person also includes ongoing historic site interpretation, demonstrations and programming presented at Sainte-Marie among the Hurons throughout the operating season. Children under 5 years of age receive free admission.