The second annual Aboriginal Heritage Festival has grown into a two-day cultural event on April 20 to 21 that honours First Nations, Inuit and Metis cultures.
The event is organized by the student-run CW Aboriginal Club of the Centre Wellington District High School.
Held in partnership with the Wellington County Museum and the Upper Grand District School Board the event is intended to be both a celebration of these diverse aboriginal groups and an educational forum.
“What we wanted to do was not something like a Pow-Wow,” said Jack Frimeth,CW Aboriginal Club faculty supervisor. “They are great events, but we wanted this to be a different cultural festival, a celebration of all 3 aboriginal groups, their art and culture.”
This festival began as a one day event held at CWDHS, but Frimeth explained that the interest throughout the school community and the public allowed the club’s vision to expand.
This year, thanks to the WCM, the venue has moved to the Aboyne location.
Day one of the festival takes place on April 20. “Education Day” will see 150 students from both the Wellington County Catholic Board and the UGDSB participating in a full day of ceremonies, workshops, guest speakers and vendors.
The students will attend two out of the five available workshops, experiencing examples of cultures from First Nations, Metis, Cree, Mohawk and Inuit traditions.
Traditional foods will be available. Music, dance and arts will be part of the festivities.
Guest speaker Narcisse Blood, a filmmaker and elder of the Blood Reserve in Alberta will make a presentation about the preservation and importance of culture and participate in the closing ceremonies.
“It’s all about a high level of education and a greater appreciation for the culture of our aboriginal communities,” Frimeth said.
April 21 is the second day of the festival is “Community Day,” open to the public with a series of workshops and vendors. Visitors will see performances by a drum group, music by Women’s Good Hearted Singers, Augiak Novalinga of Inuk and Saugeen First Nation dancers. Traditional ceremonies will open and close the event.
Admission is by donation with all proceeds going to support the Southern Ontario Aboriginal Diabetes Initiatives.
Frimeth explained the CW Aboriginal Club plays an important role in creating a sense of pride and awareness for his students.
“We have a number of students of aboriginal background. They don’t declare their native status with our school board … we wanted them to feel proud, to have a connection and event that would serve that purpose, but also to offer education to the non-aboriginal community.”
Since it’s inception, the Aboriginal club has brought in guest speakers, held workshops and fundraisers for groups such as the Attiwapiskat First Nation peoples. The group has also participated in student exchanges with First Nation communities.
The Aboriginal Heritage Festival “Community Day” takes place April 21 from 11am to 6:30pm at the Wellington Museum and Archives. For more information, contact Jack Frimeth at 519-823-2500 or j_frimeth@hotmail.com..
