Mostly the celebrations happen in large towns and cities across the country and often includes Aboriginal artists and dancers and activities such as:
- Summer solstice festivals
- Barbecue fundraisers
- Social networking gatherings with traditional and contemporary music, dance and singing
- Sacred fire extinguishing ceremonies
- Traditional feasts, which may include fry bread and moose stew
In addition, the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN), airs a televised special of Aboriginal entertainers for Canadians to watch in the comfort of their homes. Usually this nationally televised program is aired live from Winnipeg, Manitoba at a place called "The Forks", a beautiful part of the city which is down by the riverfront.
Today is June 23, 2012, and right now the national program is being aired from both Winnipeg and Regina, Saskatchewan. It features a variety of talented Aboriginal performers representing the different indigenous people in Canada. This year's performers are (in no particular order): Inez, Christa Couture, Beatrice Deer, Vince Fontaine & Indian City, Don Amero, Neewa Mason, Pamela Davis, Riva, William Prince, Kashtin and Academy award winner, Buffy Sainte-Marie. Some of these performers are well known, but others I haven't heard of before and I was blown away by their significant talents.
The program was even more special to me because the show featured a young rising Aboriginal star from Australia. His name is Adam James and he sings country music. I thought I would share one of his videos with you. The song is called "Who's Counting Anyway". He wrote the song to celebrate the 25th anniversary of his parents. I hope you like it and I hope you will also check out the APTN link and learn more about the country's great Aboriginal entertainers and artists. The link is set up specifically for the Aboriginal Day celebrations so hopefully it works after the show.
