Many local and area residents, including several River Valley school classes, attended the 4th annual Sundre Museum festivities in recognition of National Aboriginal Day on June 21.
The event included traditional native dances, story telling demonstrations, traditional native food and other events.
Native dancer Amanda Woodward explained that the dances are a way for native communities to recall ancient stories and to preserve the long and proud history of Canada's First Nations.
“The dances are very spiritual for us,” said Woodward. “We keep our old stories alive through the dances. And they are very modern too.”
She explained the dancers' colourful regalia (not costumes) often includes personalized embrodary and other embellishments.
For example, she wears a beaded tee pee necklace to symbolize her love of home.
The Sundre Museum Aboriginal Day festivities also included presentations and displays from the Metis community.
The museum recently unveiled a new Metis display in the Reception Centre, a display that include historical items from the region's Metis past.
