SLARC in the Summer
SLARC in the Summer is the Sioux Lookout Anti-Racism Committee’s rich collection of summer activities, events, art, community, food and fun. 2009 will have something for everyone, from May through to August.
May 26th: National Day of Healing and Reconciliation
Sioux Lookout was named national host for May 26th, the National Day of healing and Reconciliation, thenks to SLARC's partnership with the coalition for healing and Reconciliation. A sunrise ceremony held at the Pelican Falls High school kicked off the event. A community feast at the Nishnawbe-Gamik Friendship Centre ended the day with presentations by Chief Clifford Bull, Felicia Waboose and Sam Atchneepineskum, while Grand Chief Stan Beardy and Mayor Kathy Poling brought greeting. The event was attended by Marcia Halfe, NDHR campaign manager and Nancy Pine of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission while coverage was provided by CBC Radio.
Click here to see the announcement by the national campaign office naming Sioux Lookout the national host.
Last year there were two plays brought to to Sioux Lookout. The Triple Truth dramatized the history of Aboriginal people at work in North America while Savage portrayed some of the challenges facing Frist Nations youth today. Both were produced by Native Earth Performing Arts.
Click here to see Sioux Bulletin coverage of the event.
June 21st: National Aboriginal Day
For this year's National Aboriginal Day, we traveled to Pelican Falls High School To participate in Kwayaccinwiin's Summer Solstice Language Event. The kids enjoyed painting a mural on the upcopming summer season while Multi-Cultural Youth Citizen Project Coordinator, Mark Hoggarth learned and taught traditional games.
The Bannock Bake-Off
Sioux Lookout’s 27th annual Blueberry Festival was a huge success. Contestants from First Nations and non-First Nations organizations competed in a competition to make the best Bannok, incorporating whacky costumes, antics and fun. This year's winning team was the Wawatay Birthday Bashers. Celebrating their organization's 35th anniversary, they took home the coveted frying pan trophy.
The Sioux Mountain Festival
This cultural festival took the community by storm on August 1st and 2nd. There were lots of cross-cultural workshops and displays that went on all weekend, balanced by the best of the region’s blues, folk, rock, punk and other musicians, including bands from northern First Nations communities. Saturday featured SLARC’s time-honoured favourite – A Taste of Sioux Lookout – in which Sioux Lookouters and visitors could taste a range of traditional and ethnic dishes. Volunteers brought foods from their cultural background, or just a favourite dish. Local restaurants also donated their wares.
