National Aboriginal Day begins at noon at either Rotary Waterfront Park or the Jim Ciccone Civic Centre, depending on weather.
Welcome Prayer /
Blessing of fishing fleet: Rev. Peter Nelson
Honouring War Veterans/TAPS: Welcome to Ts'msyen Territory: Murray Smith
Mayor of Prince Rupert: Jack Mussellum
Member of Legislative Assembly: Jennifer Rice
Mayor Port Edward: Dave MacDonald
Board of Education: Tina Last
Superintendent of Schools: Sandy Jones
Aboriginal Education Council Co-Chair: Marlene Clifton
Aboriginal First Nations Kaien Island Elders: Murray Smith
Friendship House Association: Marilyn Bryant
Approximate Event Times:
12:30 Sm'Halaayt Dancers
1:00 Roosevelt/PCS Drummers –Marlene Clifton
1:30 RCMP Van logo blessing
1:45 Jaimee Aubee
2:00 Haida Nation Dancers
2:45 Kianna St. Louis/Arianna Spencer
3:00 Gitmaxmak'ay Dancers
3:45 Nassville 5
4:45 Grand March
5:15 Ta'kaiya Blaney
6:15 Mermaid Café
7:00 Longhouse
7:45 Door Prize Draw
Closing Comments
**A blanket dance will be performed
About Special Guest: Ta'Kaiya Blaney
Twelve-year-old Ta'Kaiya Blaney is Sliammon First Nation from B.C. Along with singing, songwriting, and acting, she is concerned about the environment, especially the preservation of marine and coastal wildlife. She travels and speaks on protecting indigenous lands worldwide from unsustainable development. She has spoken at UN meeting across the globe, including The TUNZA UN children and youth conference on the environment in Bandung Indonesia, and the Rio+20 UN conference on the environment In Rio de Janiero, Brazil.
Ta'kaiya is strong in her culture and a great role model for youth around the world.