On May 3 Wellington County Museum and Archives will host the fourth annual Aboriginal Heritage Festival Public Day, highlighting the sights, sounds and tastes of First Nations, Inuit and Metis art and culture.
The afternoon will begin with a traditional welcome and presentation of the nations’ flags, followed by various workshops and activities. Workshops will introduce and explain types of indigenous dances along with presentations on Inuit culture. All afternoon, visitors are welcome to chat with outdoor presenters, play traditional Metis games, and learn about many of the traditional healing plants used by the native peoples of this area. There will also be an artisan’s marketplace. Participants will be representing regions across the province, including local residents, John Somosi, Marcel Labelle, Naomi Smith and author Sue Wilson. New this year is the food vendor, John Ringuette from “Nishdish”, a traditional chef, specializing in Native cuisine. The event will run from 1 to 5pm.
May 2 is the education day of the Festival. Classes must register to participate in the full day of presentations and workshops, offered in partnership with the Upper Grand District School Board and the Grand River Metis Council. Space is filling up quickly, so if interested, please contact Libby Walker, museum activity programmer 519-846-0916 x5224 or libbyw@wellington.ca.
The winner of this year’s Youth Aboriginal Award will soon be announced, sponsored by the Guelph Rotary Club. Nomination forms for this award are still available on the Museum website, www.wellington.ca/museum.
Admission for the May 2 Education Day is $3 per student; classes must register to participate. Admission for the May 3 Public Day is $5 per person or $12.50 per family.
The Wellington County Museum and Archives is located on Wellington Road 18, between Fergus and Elora.
For more information, please contact Libby Walker, Activity Programmer 519.846.0916, x 5224 or email libbyw@wellington.ca.
