There is much to be learned from other people and much to be gained by treating others with respect. That\u2019s the message of Huntsville\u2019s annual First Nations, M\u00e9tis and Inuit Celebration, this year on June 22 from 11am-1pm.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a celebration, mostly geared toward school-aged children but open to everyone,\u201d says Teri Souter, the Town\u2019s Manager of Arts, Culture and Heritage. \u201cWe want to encourage youth-to-youth exchange and interaction.\u201d<\/p>\n
The event has been held since 2001 but was formerly a sunrise celebration which, due to the timing, didn\u2019t bring enough awareness, says Souter. For the past several years it has been a daytime event, open to all, offset from National Aboriginal Day. \u201cThat day is a holiday in First Nations communities. In order for them to participate it\u2019s important for us to do it on a date when First Nations students are at school and can join us.\u201d<\/p>\n
At the heart of the event is a performance by the Little Spirit Singers, a group of elementary-aged girls from Wasauksing School who recently received the Lieutenant Governor\u2019s Ontario Heritage Award for Youth Achievement, accompanied by their teacher Deina Bomberry. \u201cWe are honoured that the Little Spirit Singers have agreed to come and share with us. Everyone is in for a real treat,\u201d says Souter. \u201cWe also hope to welcome Senator Verna Porter-Brunelle of the M\u00e9tis Nation of Ontario and our Inuit friend Peter Irniq.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\t\t