Communities across the NWT have organized barbecues, drum dances, canoe races and more to recognize National Indigenous Peoples Day on Sunday.
Here’s our guide to some of the events happening around the territory leading up to, on and after June 21. If you’d like to submit events for inclusion on this list, email the details to us.
Aklavik
The Aklavik Elders Committee is holing a cookout for Elders in the community on June 25 from 1pm to 4pm at the Sittichinli Complex. The committee said there would be games and door prizes.
Behchokǫ̀
Events in Behchokǫ̀ on June 21 begin at 1pm at the Behchokǫ̀ Cultural Centre with a community BBQ, traditional game and mini carnival.
A horseshoe tournament starts at 2pm and there’ll be pocket hand games at 3pm. The events will end with a talent show at 5pm and a drum dance at 9pm.
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Fort Simpson
The Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ First Nation‘s events on June 21 beginning with a water feeding ceremony at 8am and community breakfast at the recreation centre at 8:30am.
At 10:30am there will be canoe races, Dene language bingo and a language scavenger hunt, and Dene and kids’ games will begin at 1pm.
The evening will have a feast and music, including fiddlers, a performance by Leela Gilday, and a drum dance.
Fort Smith
The Fort Smith Métis Council has organized a bannock bake off on June 21 from 11am to 2pm at the Roaring Rapids Hall. Competitors have to make 50 pieces of bannock each to be judged by the public. The winning bannock bakers will get gift cards to Kaeser’s Store.
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Inuvik
Celebrations for National Indigenous Peoples Day in Inuvik began on June 17 with a cultural gala from 1pm to 3:45pm at East Three Elementary School. Organizers asked attendees to wear traditional clothing from the Beaufort Delta or their own cultural heritage.
On June 18, there will be a dance demonstration by the Mackenzie River Dancers at Ingamo Hall at 6pm, and on June 20 there will be an Elders’ storytelling and tea at Ignamo Hall from 2pm to 5pm.
Events on June 21 will take place at Chief Jim Koe Park, and the Northern Games Society will be at the Inuvik tent from 12pm to 3pm celebrating Edward Lennie, one of three Indigenous athletes and sport champions being added to a Canada Post stamp collection for National Indigenous Peoples Day.
Kátł’odeeche First Nation and Hay River
The Kátł’odeeche First Nation has organized a three-day celebration beginning June 19. Daily activities will run from 11am to 5pm at the arbour and will include traditional crafts, community history bus tours, wild meat harvesting demonstrations, canoe races, food and prizes.
Hay River will host a BBQ at the Aurora Ford Arena from 11am to 3pm on June 20. There will be a kids’ fun zone, craft stations, a jigging contest, a moose and duck call competition and music from the Kátł’odeeche First Nation Drummers and Kole Crook Fiddle Association.
Norman Wells
On June 21, the Tłegǫ́hłı̨ Got’įnę Government has organized a pancake breakfast at the Legion at 9:30am, followed by a nature hike at 10am beginning at Dump Road.
In the afternoon, there will be games for kids and adults at Rick Muyres Park and a fish fry at 3pm.
Canoe races take place on June 22 at 10:30am followed by a grill out, and there will be a BBQ at the Wellness Centre on June 23.
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Tulita
Events on June 21 begin at 12:30pm at the Arbour with a traditional lunch followed by traditional games until 4pm. In the evening, there will be hand games and a scavenger hunt. The celebrations end with a drum dance at 9pm.
Whatì
In a Facebook post to the Wha-Ti (Got’i) community group, the Whatì Community Presence Office said it will host a BBQ at 1pm on June 21 by the white cross. At 2pm, events for kids and adults will start, including tea boiling, dry fish making, a canoe race, Elders checkers, and a sackbag race.
Yellowknife
On June 20 at 2pm, the City of Yellowknife and the Yellowknives Dene First Nation will hold a ceremony renaming Franklin Avenue to Wıìlıìdeh Avenue. The ceremony will include a drum dance and the unveiling of the new street sign. The name change takes effect on National Indigenous Peoples Day.
On June 21, the North Slave Métis Alliance will host its annual fish fry at Somba K’e Park starting at 12pm. Music from James Ross, the Yellowknives Dene Drummers, NITE SUN, Tanya Roach, Lee Mandeville and Elvis Kotchilea will run until 5pm alongside speeches and the Edmonton Métis Dancers.
