A unique event at the Galt Museum drew dozens to help celebrate Aboriginal culture.
Lethbridge’s Aboriginal Awareness Week saw young and old unite for the opening ceremonies.
The week’s blessing included a cultural tradition, a circle of honored guests, smoking a pipe.
“Most people are used to just having a prayer, having the elder say a prayer but this is going one step further,” said Travis Plaited Hair, Aboriginal Awareness Week Chair. “It’s really showcasing that we still have a very rich culture, that’s alive and well.”
Aboriginal Awareness Week is celebrating its fifth anniversary this year, aiming to create a stepping stone between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities.
The hope is to enhance and continue to build relationships within Southern Alberta, and organizers say judging by the event’s continuedsuccess that goal is being met.
“Each year it seems to grow, and we have more partners that come to the table,” said Jacinda Weiss, Executive Director of the Aboriginal Council of Lethbridge. “It’s really a fun event, where everyone wants to be involved and our goal is to provide community engagement and social inclusion-where everyone is involved.”
Today’s ceremony also included cultural dancing, and while it began as a solo, the crowd couldn’t resist joining the jig, an element participants say is part of what makes the week’s celebration unique.
“It’s just to create awareness, invite the public in, have the people come out and help celebrate, get involved in the activities,” said Plaited Hair.
Through out the a week a number of events in Lethbridge will help celebrate Aboriginal Awareness Week, leading up to National Aboriginal Day on Friday.
Following today’s opening ceremony, the crowd participated in a friendship walk from the Galt Museum to the Sik-ooh-kotoki Friendship Centre.
Tomorrow the celebration continues with CASA hosting the Aboriginal Arts Showcase.
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