Aboriginal kick-off

BY MARIE LITALIEN

A crowd gathered as Debbie Robertson's powerful voice filled the main foyer of Tom Davies Square Thursday at the first-ever Northern Aboriginal Festival kick-off.

Robertson, a cultural facilitator at Cambrian College's Wabnode Institute, was one of many  who took the stand to offer welcoming remarks for the only festival of its kind in Greater Sudbury.

Cambrian College, Laurentian University and the City of Greater Sudbury have worked together to make the festival a reality.

The event is about coming together and honouring the traditions and teachings of Aboriginal culture in the area.

This collaboration will bring about great things in the city, said Sheila Cote-Meek, director of academic (Native Affairs) at Laurentian.

She spoke of the challenges her elders faced years ago. This festival attests to the ongoing determination of Aboriginal people, which ensures every opportunity for the future, she said.

"We look forward with pride to the Aboriginal festival," said Cote-Meek.

Mayor John Rodriguez used a proverb as part of his welcome speech.

"Tell me and I may forget, show me and I may remember, involve me and I may understand," he said.

This festival is much more than a collaboration, he continued. It gives the opportunity to everyone in the region to participate, learn and discover through Aboriginal culture.

He is proud of Greater Sudbury's educational institutions for their dedication to preserving history through the eyes of Aboriginal people, said Rodriguez.

To end the kick-off, Robertson sang The Travelling Song, because in the closing of the ceremony, the door is opening for people to join in on the spirit of the festival, she said.

"It (the festival) is hugely important for the community and that is our focus because we all need to understand each other better and the best way to do that is to have everyone come together at something like a powwow, which is a very celebratory kind of activity," said Cambrian President Sylvia Barnard.

The Northern Aboriginal Festival will be held at the Sudbury Community Arena on April 5 and 6.

Powwow Grand Entries will take place April 5 at noon at 7 pm, and April 6 at noon.

Vendor's will be selling food, crafts and Native artisans, and providing information.