Old and new faces welcomed to Aboriginal Day events

The chiefs of P.E.I.'s two Mi'kmaq bands and the premier travelled to the eastern end of the province early Tuesday morning to greet the sun in a ceremony to mark the beginning of National Aboriginal Day.

Chief Matilda Ramjattan of Lennox Island First Nation, Chief Brian Francis of Abegweit First Nation and Premier Wade MacLauchlan raised a flag and unveiled a new sign highlighting the special relationship between the province and the Mi'kmaq of Prince Edward Island at Wood Islands.

Later in the morning, Ramjattan and Francis were in Charlottetown, greeting people at a celebration in Confederation Landing Park.

"I see a lot of unfamiliar faces and I see some familiar faces," said Ramjattan.

"I extend peace and friendship to those who want to participate."

Francis called it a day to celebrate the past and current contributions of Native peoples to the province of P.E.I.

"We are proud, we are strong, we are Mi'kmaq," said Francis.

Celebrations in several communities

Melissa Peter Paul of the Mi'kmaqConfederacy was on CBC Radio's Island Morning to talk about the variety of events planned for the day.

"Today we get to celebrate our culture," said Peter Paul.

"We get to celebrate all of our achievements and get together with all people."

Native groups on the Island have a number of activities planned.

• Confederation Landing, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: A performance of traditional singing, drumming, and dancing. There will also be games and prizes, a free barbecue, mussels and oysters.
• Scotchfort, 12 to 3 p.m.: Drumming, singing, a barbecue and games for the kids.
• Lennox Island, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.: The public celebration will include demonstrations of traditional games, storytelling, dancing, drumming and a feast at end of day.

Organizers say this is probably the busiest Aboriginal Dayever on P.E.I.

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