National Aboriginal Day will forever be on June 21, but this is the first time Aboriginal Day Live & Celebration occurs on that very same date. This year, APTN will mark the day with the largest celebration of its kind in the nation.
In 2007, the event debuted outside APTN’s headquarters in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The first Aboriginal Day Live was a one-hour concert featuring “Fiddle Master” Donny Parenteau, the Asham Stompers, champion hoop dancer Lisa Odjig, JUNO award winner Leela Gilday, Nunavut’s own Lucie Idlout, Dead Indians and the internationally renowned C-Weed Band. The hosts were Cheryl McKenzie of APTN National News and radio personality Ray St. Germain.
The following year, the celebration was moved to The Forks in Winnipeg to accommodate the overwhelming success of the first event. The Forks continues to be the host venue due to its historical importance and ability to accommodate mass gatherings.
This is eighth year APTN presents Aboriginal Day Live & Celebration in Canada; it’s expanded to an annual event in Winnipeg and includes a twin stage in another part of the country – previous locations include Yellowknife, Whitehorse, Ottawa, Regina and Iqaluit.
Last year, over one million people tuned in to the LIVE broadcast of the Aboriginal Day Live concert via on-air, online and radio across Canada and internationally.
If you live in and around Winnipeg, APTN invites you to get in on the action at The Forks for Aboriginal Day Live & Celebration. The event is FREE and is a jam-packed day of cultural activities. The celebrations start at 11:00 a.m. You also don’t need a ticket, just show up at The Forks.
Last year, new additions were introduced to the celebration and they’re all back. The Skateboard Park & Competition brought to you by RHYTHM 104.7 FM returns. On-air personalities will broadcast LIVE, and the ramps will be off the hook. Drop by to learn tricks from local skaters or watch the demo. You can even participate in a competition and end up walking away with some amazing prizes! Last year, the regional version of the Aboriginal Day Live & Celebration Flag Contest was created for Nunavut. This year, the winning design of the Regional Aboriginal Day Live & Celebration Flag Contest brought to you by RBC Foundation, will also be revealed at the event. The contest encourages all youth to explore their creativity and express their pride of Aboriginal culture. The talented creator of the winning flag design will be invited to Halifax to take part in Aboriginal Day Live & Celebration.
Government support has helped make it possible to travel with Aboriginal Day Live & Celebration to Halifax. The Government of Nova Scotia has made a valuable contribution to the event as a Regional Presenter. The celebration also receives support from the Government of Canada through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency as Regional Presenter and Waterfront Development Corporation as Regional Official Partner. Also, Casino Nova Scotia endorsed the celebration with a sponsorship and is another Regional Official Partner.
You can also be part of the Aboriginal Day Live & Celebration social media team. Whether it be on Twitter, Facebook, Flickr or Instagram, all are invited to share pictures and posts via your computer or mobile device. You might even have your photo or tweet added to our LIVE broadcast of Aboriginal Day Live.
Aboriginal Day Live airs Saturday, June 21 at 7:00 p.m. MT on APTN West, 8:00p.m. CTV on APTN North and 9:00 p.m. ET on APTN East and APTN HD.
Join APTN LIVE from Winnipeg and Halifax, from wherever you are via television, radio waves, online and mobile devices. For more information on Aboriginal Day Live & Celebration, check out aboriginaldaylive.com!
