Aboriginal Events

Join Sainte-Marie's staff in a tribute to Canada's First Nations, with special on-site activities and displays at the Aboriginal Festival Weekend on June 22 and 23, and National Aboriginal Day on June 21.

National Aboriginal Day (June 21, 2013)

National Aboriginal Day (June 21) is a time for all Canadians to celebrate the cultures and contributions to Canada of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. Canada chose June 21 because of the cultural significance of the summer solstice and because many Aboriginal groups mark this day to celebrate their heritage.

In recognition of National Aboriginal Day, Sainte-Marie will offer First Nations singing, drumming and dancing. First Nations displays and demonstrations include kid’s heritage crafts, waterway and lacrosse demonstrations, Native crafters, and more.

At both events, Restaurant Sainte-Marie will offer a special themed menu, providing delicious original recipes including “Three Sisters Soup” made from corn, beans, and squash.

Guest Performers and Historical Demonstrations
• Iroquois Drum and Dance Group
• Aztec Drumming Group
• Neil Monague Hand Drumming
• Waterway Demonstration



On-going Activities Throughout the Day
• Orientation Slide Show
• Children’s Crafts
• Display and Information
• First Nation Artisans
• “Survival in the Bush” Encampment
• Make Corn Husk Figures
• First Nation Foods
• 17th century Fire-Starting
• Bracelet Making
• Métis Roots Display
• Métis Youth Cultural Program
• Clay Workshop
• Basket Making Demonstration
• Lacrosse Demonstration
• Teas in the Hospital
• First Nation Games
• Aboriginal Drumming

Restaurant Sainte-Marie – Enjoy our Special Menu
3 Sisters Soup – Battered Georgian Bay White Fish & Chips
Homemade Corn Bread – Field Salad with dried cranberries, raisins and pine nuts – Strawberry Dessert
Full licensed and air-conditiioned

Museum Gift Shop – Unique gifts with a 17th century flair

Aboriginal Festival Weekend
(June 22-23, 2013)

On June 22 and 23, Native singers, drummers, and dancers will perform under an Events Tent on site, and in the Longhouses. The historic site will also offer numerous activities and demonstrations.

 

The “Survival in the Bush” exhibit will feature:

•  Historic fire-starting

•  Cordage making

•  Traps and snares

•  Native cooking

•  Bone tools and birch-bark baskets

•  A furrier display

•  Tea tasting

Other activities on the historic site will include Native games such as lacrosse, making clay Okies (a Huron good luck charm), children’s heritage crafts, and basket making. Sainte-Marie’s Interpretive Staff will showcase waterway demonstrations, historic fire-starting, 17th-century medicine, and historic cooking. There will be a wigwam display in Sainte-Marie’s foyer, and animated films for kids will be shown throughout the day.