Rain delays powwow, but can't stop Winnipeg's National Aboriginal Day celebrations

A sunrise ceremony and sacred fire marked the start of Winnipeg's celebration of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people on Wednesday at The Forks.

The city is one of eight, from coast to coast, celebrating the 21st annual National Aboriginal Day to honour the similarities — as well as the distinct heritages, languages, cultural practices and spiritual beliefs — of Indigenous people in Canada.

At noon Winnipeg time, Canada's largest round dance took place in all eight cities simultaneously.

A powwow scheduled to start at 1 p.m. at The Forks was delayed slightly by pouring rain, but the event kicked off shortly after 2:30 p.m. The sound of drums and singing filled the air as the grand entry began south of the Scotiabank Stage.

Activities and entertainment planned for the day also included songs, storytelling, traditional games, artisans and food vendors at The Forks. The site has been a meeting place for Indigenous people for some 6,000 years, according to historians.

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"National Aboriginal Day is a great opportunity to celebrate the vibrancy of Canada's Indigenous people as well as their rich cultural traditions that form the essence of our city," said Mayor Brian Bowman in a news release.

"As Winnipeg continues its journey of reconciliation, I encourage everyone to recognize diversity, honour the truth, and reconcile for the future."

City employees acknowledged the day with a welcoming prayer and smudge ceremony by an elder, as well as a variety of festivities, including Indigenous dance, music, and visual art performers.

In Portage la Prairie, members of the public were invited to help raise a teepee at Fort la Reine Museum, along with learning how to make bannock.

The teepee raising was scheduled for 1 p.m., with bannock baking scheduled for 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.

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Aboriginal Day was first celebrated on June 21, 1996, after being recognized through a proclamation by then-Gov. Gen. Roméo LeBlanc.

The 21st of June was chosen because, for generations, many Indigenous people have celebrated their culture and heritage on or near this day, due to the significance of the summer solstice as the longest day of the year.

Winnipeg's National Aboriginal Day celebrations

7 years ago

Duration 1:52

A sunrise ceremony and sacred fire marked the start of Winnipeg's celebration of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people on Wednesday at The Forks. The city is one of eight, from coast to coast, celebrating the 21st annual National Aboriginal Day to honour the similarities — as well as the distinct heritages, languages, cultural practices and spiritual beliefs — of Indigenous people in Canada.

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the federal government intends to rename the day as National Indigenous Peoples Day.

The process is underway and the change is expected to be in place before June 21, 2018.