The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
The rhythmic beat of an animal skin drum echoed. The aroma of burning sweet grass permeated the air. A tipi stood as a proud symbol. This was the scene outside the Flin Flon Aboriginal Friendship Centre as residents assembled to laud First Nations culture at last week's National Aboriginal Day celebration. 'We've been around this country for a long time and hopefully (will be for) much longer,' Peter Beatty, Chief of the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation, told the crowd. Chief Beatty was among 400-plus people to attend the come-and-go celebration, held at the Friendship Centre parking lot and nearby Church Street last Friday, June 21. Organizer Chris Merasty, programs / events coordinator for the Friendship Centre, said it was an important occasion. 'We're here to showcase what we have and what we're all about,' he said, referring to aboriginal people and their talents. Starting at mid-afternoon and running until the early evening, the celebration featured aboriginal musicians and youth drummers, among others. Margaret Head-Steppan performed a traditional smudging on individuals, the pungent smell of the sweet grass filling much of the parking lot. The demand for the burgers and hot dogs grilled by the Lions Club was evident by the long lineups of hungry attendees. Spoke In Cree During his speech, made under the shade of the main tent, Chief Beatty made a point of speaking some of his words in Cree. 'I believe keeping our languages alive is very important to our aboriginal people,' he said. While the celebration focused on First Nations people, Merasty said the afternoon helped bring together people of all cultures. 'It gets everybody all in one place and to get to associate as one,' he said. Proclaimed in 1996, National Aboriginal Day is commemorated each year on June 21, the first day of summer. Desneth_-Missinippi-Churchill River MP Rob Clarke issued a statement calling the day 'an important holiday that celebrates the immense contributions and unique culture of aboriginal Canadians.' In a statement of his own, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said that despite progress in improving aboriginal people's lives, there is still 'much work' ahead. 'I look forward to working closely with aboriginal leaders in the coming year to achieve progress on shared priorities in order to improve the long-term prosperity of aboriginal peoples and all Canadians,' he said.
