Yellowknifers gathered in Somba K’e Park on Monday to mark Canada Day with live musical performances, food vendors, face painting, bouncy castles and more.
Despite the 28C heat and persistent sun, hundreds of people joined an event designed to celebrate Canada’s 157th birthday.
The afternoon’s activities followed a Canada Day parade that brought crowds of people out to Franklin Avenue on Monday morning.
One vendor at the afternoon event was Dene traditional artist Karen Wright-Fraser.
She has been a seamstress for the past 30 years but has lately made more jewellery.
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Her pieces are made with organic materials found in the NWT such as moose hide, caribou antler, fish skin, porcupine quills and wolverine fur.
“And then I use some fun stuff like ostrich leg leather,” said Wright-Fraser, adding that she’s also been experimenting with stingray leather procured from elsewhere.
Wright-Fraser said she wanted to attend the Canada Day event because she knew there would be a big crowd to whom she could introduce her jewellery.
One of the longest lineups at the event was for the One of a Thai food truck.
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AJ Sévigny, waiting in line to order some of the Thai food, explained that the truck used to be seen more regularly around downtown. Now, the owners only come out for special events.
“When they come out, it’s the only time that year that they ever come out, so you gotta get in line early,” said Sévigny.
When asked what makes the food so special, Sévigny answered, “It’s One of a Thai!“
There were many orange shirts visible in the crowd alongside red and white.
Emily Sabourin and her family wore orange T-shirts bearing the words “Bring them home, every child matters,” referring to children who died in residential schools and the ongoing impact of colonialism.
“It’s really important for people to come together as a community, and so Canada Day celebrations are one way where we all get together and I think that’s really important. But then it’s also important not to lose touch of how Canada was built,” said Sabourin.
