Aboriginal gathering will get city vibrating
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 16/07/2010 (5626 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Manitoba’s aboriginal communities are hosting a national meeting of First Nations leaders next week, and all Winnipeggers are invited to join the party.
The Assembly of First Nations’ annual general assembly July 20-22 is expected to draw 6,000 people to the city and pump $2.5 million into the economy.
Leaders from more than 630 First Nations will gather at the convention centre to discuss issues such as trade, health, education, housing, child welfare and resource revenue sharing at the first annual meeting for new national Grand Chief Shawn Atleo.
Several related entertainment and cultural events will be open to all.
"We want to engage our non-aboriginal people too," said Shaneen Robinson, a spokeswoman for Manitoba’s northern First Nations group Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak. "We want everybody in our city to feel that they’re part of something big because they are," she said at a media briefing Thursday.
Stefano Grande, executive director of the city’s Downtown Biz, said the event will provide a big boost to local hotels, restaurants, nightclubs and stores.
"We’re definitely excited… . It’s huge for us. It’s a big catch," he said of the event. Downtown businesses will be "doing some extra cleaning" and putting up posters welcoming delegates and visitors, he added.
MKO Grand Chief David Harper described a three-day spiritual summit to be held in conjunction with the annual assembly as "a coming together of all religions." It will draw participants from as far away as Pakistan. Some 4,000 people are expected to attend the summit.
Other feature events include a three-day international powwow at The Forks and a rodeo at Swan Lake First Nation near Headingley.
"The city is going to vibrate — a lot of energy is going to be put into this centre of Canada," Harper said.
Before the general assembly begins, organizers are putting on a two-day aboriginal youth conference at the University of Winnipeg, which they expect several hundred people to attend. Assembly organizers are looking for volunteers. If you want to help out, call 927-7500.
larry.kusch@freepress.mb.ca