This celebration kicks off with a traditional Coast Salish welcome, followed by a variety of Aboriginal performances, including traditional dances, storytelling and more.
Date/Time: Jun 19 2016, 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Vancouver, Front plaza of Canada PlaceCost: Free
National Aboriginal Day is officially designated on June 21 each year to coincide with the summer solstice. This is a special opportunity to celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding achievements of Aboriginal Peoples in Canada.
Main Stage – Front plaza of Canada Place
11:00 a.m. – Traditional Coast Salish Welcome
11:15 a.m. – The Wild Moccasin Dancers Workshop
12:15 p.m. – Chinook Song Catchers (Squamish)
12:50 p.m. – Marijosee
1:50 p.m. – TBC
2:50 p.m. – Children of Takaya (Haida and Tsimshian)
2:30 p.m. – Chinook Song Catchers (Squamish)
3:30 p.m. – Traditional Hoop Dancer
4:15 p.m. – Sister Says (Haida and Tsimshian)
Between Sets DJ O Show
Workshops, Storytelling & Other Activities – along The Canadian Trail
Artisan Marketplace
Traditional Carving with Jody Broomfield
Drum Making Workshop with Justin Kelly & August Williams – Native Thunder Productions
Dance Workshop with Shyama-Priya
11:15am
Pow Wow Drumming Workshop with Justin Kelly & August Williams – Native Thunder Productions
11:15am, 1:20pm, 4:00pm
Tee-Pee Theatre by Terri-Lyn Storey and the Grandview & Quilchena Schools
11:25am, 1:30pm, 3:00pm
Performer bios
Children of Takaya – Children of the Wolf
Children of Takaya was formed in the early 1950’s by Chief Dan George; from the Tsleil-waututh Nation. Children of Takaya is a Coast Salish group with performances that include singing, dancing and storytelling. They are very active locally, nationally and internationally. Including festivals in Europe and throughout North America. A few highlights include World Exposition 1986 and the Vancouver 2010 winter games. Time spent with Takaya will open you to the rich west coast native culture in Canada; experience the native world view through an ancient and dazzling tradition! Follow us on Twitter: @takayadancers
DJ O Show – DJ and Emcee
Orene Askew aka DJ O Show is a local Vancouver DJ, with a passion for hip hop and R&B. O Show’s multicultural background of Squamish and African American drives her passion. She is a DJ, music teacher, entrepreneur and inspirational speaker. O Show has DJ’d the red carpet for WE Day Vancouver at Rogers Arena for two years and she was voted the official DJ for YES (Young Entrepreneurs Symposium) in Ottawa. Traveling across the country, O Show brings ambition and drive to youth, encouraging them to make any dream they have into a reality.
Marijosee
Marie-Josée “marijosée” Clément – percussionist extraordinaire, funky chanteuse and one-woman wellspring of Francophone pride. Born in the small town of Aubigny, south of Winnipeg, the Franco-Manitoban Clément Marie-Josée was destined for a creative place in the wider world. Her father’s involvement in the church choir became a springboard for her ability to channel the subtleties and essences of expressing music in French and English. She sings and plays with insouciance and brio, moving easily from jazz and classical to pop and country.
Shyama-Priya
Shyama-Priya is an accomplished pow wow dancer and has danced at various events from local to International. As well as performing she teaches dance to all ages from preschoolers to adults. One of her many notable appearances was sharing the stage with Nelly Furtado and Brian Adams for the 2010 Olympic Opening Ceremonies. Come join Shyama-Priya and experience the vibrancy and beauty of the Fancy Dance!
Sister Says
Sister Says is a soulful genre-bending pop duo/band based out of Vancouver fronted by siblings Gillian and Robert Thomson. Not your typical soulful jam or singer-songwriter duo, their music pulses with the soul telling heartbreak tales and stories about a wonder-ful and ever-changing life. In regards to the duo/band’s name…. years back Gillian suggested the name Sister Says. Robert laughed and then said “yeah let’s call it Sister Says”. Seemingly Gillian leads the project but in actual fact both siblings bring their musical and creative attributes together in creating and performing. They are also fortunate to collaborate with other lovely musicians. Throughout the years Sister Says have had the opportunity to perform diverse shows which include The TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival, The Islands Folk Fest in Duncan, The Talking Stick Festival in Vancouver, and at Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto opening for Stars and Blackie and the Rodeo Kings.
More info