Indigenous Peoples Day celebration brings hundreds to Riverside Park

June 22, 2023 @ 3:15 pmNews

The annual National Indigenous Peoples Day event drew a crowd of hundreds to Riverside Park in Guelph to celebrate First Nations, Inuit, and Métis culture and contributions on June 21. Photo by Robin George
Champion dancer Ethan Warner danced at Riverside Park during the Indigenous Peoples Day celebration on June 21. Photo by Robin George
Darryl Bolton, right, and his son Xavier Bolton from Vancouver performed the men's grass dance. Photo by Robin George
Darryl Bolton, left, and his son Xavier Bolton travelled to Guelph from Vancouver for the Indigenous Peoples Day celebration on June 21. Photo by Robin George
The woman's jingle dance performed here originated about a century ago, when an elder had a dream that the dance would heal his sick granddaughter, said emcee Adrian Harjo. The regalia is decorated in cones woven into the dress that make a sound similar to the sound of rain. Harjo said rainfall is considered a healing sound in many Indigenous cultures. Photo by Robin George.
This 21-year-old is performing a dance often known as the "butterfly dance," because it looks like a field full of butterflies, said event emcee Adrian Harjo, during the Indigenous Peoples Day celebration in Guelph on June 21. Photo by Robin George.
Ame Papatsie sang traditional Inuit songs while Aalbi danced and played a drum during the Indigenous Peoples Day celebration on June 21. Photo by Robin George.
Ame Papatsie sketched portraits of many of the children attending the Indigenous Peoples Day celebration, using two pencils simultaneously, one in his left hand and one in his right. Photo by Robin George
Despite the heat, attendees enthusiastically learned a range of Métis jigs during the Indigenous Peoples Day celebration on June 21. Photo by Robin George.
From left: Child and youth navigator Brett Holowchuk, Indigenous housing outreach worker Jessica Dobroski, and integrated care manager Charisse Sayer shared free goodies and information about Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre's services during the June 21 celebration. Photo by Robin George

GUELPH – A crowd gathered at Riverside Park here on June 21 to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day. 

First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people showcased parts of their culture and invited attendees to join songs and dances.  

There was First Nations jingle dancing, fancy dancing and grass dancing, with performances from champion dancers wearing colourful regalia as well as an intertribal dance, which drew dozens of people together to hold hands and dance to the beat of the drum. 

Ame Papatsie shared traditional Inuit songs and led the crowd in a sing-along while Aalbi danced and played a drum. 

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Despite the heat, many people gave it their all in learning how to dance a Métis jig to the tune of the popular Métis song the Red River Jig. 

In addition to the entertainment, there were vendors selling homemade crafts like beaded earrings and dream catchers, and Papatsie’s original paintings. 

Papatsie also shared his talent by offering to sketch portraits of many of the children attending the event.

Using two pencils simultaneously, one in his left hand and one in his right, he drew pictures that caused kids’ eyes to light up with delight. Included in each drawing is the child’s name, written in the Inuit language Inuktitut.

People also enjoyed food and drinks like “Indian Tacos,” Métis stew, and a sweet and refreshing strawberry drink. 

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