In The News

Celebrating Aboriginal Heritage

Midland’s Sainte-Marie among the Hurons will celebrate the heritage of Aboriginal people with the upcoming Aboriginal Festival on Saturday and Sunday June 16-17, and National Aboriginal Day on Thursday June 21.

During the Aboriginal Festival June 16-17, the historic site will present a wide array of exhibits and demonstrations connected to Native heritage. The popular Survival in the Bush group will animate Sainte-Marie’s entrance with fire-starting demonstrations, cordage making, trap and snare exhibits, a furrier display, and edible tea tasting. Sainte-Marie’s Interpretive Staff plan fur-smoking activities, clay-okie and corn-husk doll making, waterway demonstrations, and a fun puppet show that showcases a Native Creation Story. La Compagnie Franche de la Marine re-enactment group will demonstrate the cooking of traditional Aboriginal foods, and Aboriginal vendors will present a variety of fascinating crafts.

In Sainte-Marie’s Native Area the dynamic activities will continue. The Native group Taabik will entertain with Aboriginal drumming and singing under a special event tent, and the Christian Island Hand Drum Group and Akwesasne Traditional Singers and Dancers will provi

de native lore and drumming in Sainte-Marie’s famous reconstructed Longhouses. Visitors can also create a dreamcatcher, a beautiful Aboriginal craft. Little folks will be thrilled to join in a game of traditional Lacrosse or hear Native legends, and lots of Native children’s games will be available including the making of corn darts.

Thursday, June 21, is National Aboriginal Day and Sainte-Marie’s celebration of Aboriginal heritage will continue. June 21 features will include an historical encampment, more traditional displays, basket-making demonstrations, and a special film presentation. During both the weekend Aboriginal Festival and National Aboriginal Day, Restaurant Sainte-Marie will offer a special themed menu, providing delicious recipes including “Three Sisters Soup” made from corn, beans, and squash.

The Aboriginal Festival runs Saturday and Sunday, June 16 and 17, and National Aboriginal Day is on Thursday, June 21. For further information please contact (705) 526-7838.

Sainte-Marie among the Hurons is operated by Huronia Historical Parks,
and is an Attraction of the Ontario Ministry of Tourism

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Publisher’s Note: Visitors traveling in the Midland-Southern Georgian Bay area are encouraged to visit many of the other attractions in the area which can be found at Georgian Bay Tourism or plan your trip around a spring drive in the Southern Georgian Bay Area by visiting Georgian Bay Eco Museum.