First-ever Indigenous float hits the streets with Santa Claus Parade
CBC News | Posted: November 12, 2016 9:18 PM | Last Updated: November 12, 2016
Float made with help of kids from First Nations across the province
The first-ever Indigenous float is rolling in the Santa Claus Parade on Saturday, bringing together creative contributions from kids and families across the province.
On the float sits a nearly three-metre high Dene-style headdress with 19 feathers that were decorated by kids at schools on various First Nations in Manitoba. The float also features singer Rhonda Head singing Christmas carols in English and Cree.
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"We wanted to unify Indigenous culture with kids this year, and that's exactly what we did," said Corey Whitford of the Southern Chiefs' Organization. The SCO represents 33 chiefs in southern Manitoba and was the driver behind getting a float in the parade.
It's the first time in the parade's 106-year history there's been a float dedicated to Indigenous culture.
'We are a part of this community'
Designer David Thomas came up with the headdress style of the float to allow children from around the province to get involved.
"We needed something that was kind of modular so we could plug everything in," said Thomas, who is from Peguis First Nation.
"The idea of just feathers in a headdress just naturally seemed the right thing to do, because it showed the culture and also it was something we can roll up in a package and mail out and just assemble it when everything came back in the mail."
Thomas said in addition to the kids who decorated the feathers, a handful of Indigenous families in Winnipeg came to help set everything up ahead of the parade on Saturday.
Singer Rhonda Head said she was asked by SCO to sing Christmas carols on the float throughout the parade, including Silent Night, O Holy Night and "the chipmunk song," Christmas Don't Be Late, in Cree.
"It's important because we need to share love and be participating in big events in Winnipeg, because we are a part of this community," Head said.
Whitford said the SCO hopes to continue the tradition in the future.
"Next year, bigger and better," he said.