Aboriginal Heritage to be celebrated at Sainte-Marie among the Hurons June 21-22

June 5, 2014

Media Release – for immediate release

Aboriginal Heritage to be celebrated

at Sainte-Marie among the Hurons

June 21-22

Sainte-Marie among the Hurons will offer a dynamic celebration of Aboriginal heritage June 21-22 with its popular Aboriginal Festival Weekend.  This year’s event includes National Aboriginal Day which officially takes place in Canada on June 21.

The exciting two day event will celebrate the cultures and contributions to Canada of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples.  In the Sainte-Marie foyer, local area Aboriginal crafters will offer a beautiful selection of exquisite Aboriginal products.  Following inspiring Aboriginal drumming by Chris Walser, visitors can then free-flow to many hands-on activities on the historic site including bannock making, Aboriginal foods in the Sainte-Marie cookhouse, making and playing the Aboriginal “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.

Aboriginal culture will come to life on the historic site with outstanding performances of drumming, singing and dancing.  The popular Neil Monague Hand Drumming Group will be featured in Sainte-Marie’s famous longhouse, and the riveting Aztec Drumming Group will wow crowds with their energetic and engaging presentations.  Also performing over the weekend are The Haudenosaunee Dancers, an Iroquois drum and dance group that uses water drums and cow horns to provide lively dance that thanks the Creator and reinforce community relationships.  Aboriginal performer John Samosi returns with his interactive hand-drumming, sure to delight visitors of all ages.  

The Aboriginal Festival Weekend is on Saturday June 21 and Sunday June 22 at Sainte-Marie among the Hurons. For further information call (705) 526-7838 or visit www.hhp.on.ca.

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Sainte-Marie among the Hurons is operated by Huronia Historical Parks,

and is an Attraction of the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Sport.

Media Contact:

Bill Brodeur

Coordinator,

Marketing and Media Relations

Huronia Historical Parks

Bill.Brodeur@ontario.ca 

(705) 528-7692