TORONTO: Residents of the GTA have been invited to come together June 18 and 19 at Fort York in celebration of National Indigenous Peoples Month.
The City of Toronto said:”Join us at this free, community-focused event with traditional and contemporary Indigenous music, dance, artisan and culinary experiences of the First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples living across Turtle Island and Indigenous Communities around the world.”
The Na-Me-Res Annual Traditional Pow Wow returns Saturday, June 18 with drummers, dancers and artisan and food vendors. On Sunday, June 19, enjoy an Indigenous Food Market and visit the ELMNT FM stage for live music performances. Shop at the Indigenous Artisans Market both days and see month-long art installations. This event is wheel-chair accessible.
On June 21
June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day (NIPD), formerly National Aboriginal Day. This is a day of cultural significance for First Nations, Inuit and Métis.
The City of Toronto has been raising the Indigenous flags since before amalgamation in 1998, and in 2017 the City had the Indigenous flags permanently installed on Nathan Phillips Square. Typically, the day is marked around a sacred fire, strawberries, water and the use of sage for cleansing followed by the Mayor’s proclamation and presentation to a representative, as well as the involvement of treaty partners.