Abbotsford Aboriginal Day
Abbotsford Aboriginal Day was an event for the whole community to Celebrate National Aboriginal Day, an important event to create community connectedness amongst Aboriginal and non Aboriginal peoples where knowledge and skills were shared. The event promoted awareness within Abbotsford and participation in Cultural Activities, and created cross cultural bridging. Several hundred people attended the event, including Abbotsford mayor Henry Braun and members of council, MLA Simon Gibson and Dawn Johnson, president of the Fraser Valley Metis association.
Smith said there have been smaller events for aboriginal day in Abbotsford before, but this year was the first time several groups came together to stage the event at city hall.In addition to First Nations and Métis music and dance, there were crafts activities such as traditional Salish weaving, food and storytelling.
Organizers, who are hoping to make the celebration an annual event, estimate more than 450 people attended based on the consumption of hot dogs alone.
“It was a huge success, we were very pleased” said Cynthia Churchill, one of the member of one of the groups that worked together to arrange the celebration.
