National Aboriginal Day activities fill Montreal streets with music and culture
CBC News | Posted: June 21, 2016 11:48 AM | Last Updated: June 22, 2016
Place d'Armes, Cabot Square to host events for 20th annual celebration of Indigenous culture
Montrealers looking to celebrate National Aboriginal Day have several options, from concerts to a soap stone carving workshop.
Twenty years ago, then-Governor General Roméo LeBlanc proclaimed June 21 National Aboriginal Day to recognize and celebrate the heritage and contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.
Events today will be held across Canada.
Ceremony and parade in Old Montreal
In Old Montreal, a parade began at around 11 a.m. the corner of St-Jacques Street and St-Laurent Boulevard.
Marchers carried effigies and walked to the beat of drumming toward Place d'Armes, where a tobacco ceremony will take place around a fire.
The Buffalo Hat Singers and Inuk singer Beatrice Deer also performed.
Revisit our Facebook Live from the festivities below:
Celebrations at Cabot Square
For those who can only take part in the festivities later in the day, an entire afternoon and evening of events is planned at Cabot Square.
This is the first year there are Aboriginal Day events at Cabot Square.
The Kontirennotatie Kanehsatake Women Singers will be on hand to teach audience members social dances and explain their significance, there will be Inuit games, soap stone carving workshop and activities by Inujunga and Chez Doris, craft tables, events for children and much more.
Festivities at the square, which was recently renovated, wrapped up at 9 p.m.
For the full lineup of performers, check out the Facebook event page.