The Nunatsiavut Communities are busy preparing events for Tomorrow, June 21st, National Indigenous Peoples Day.
Elsie Russell is the Mental Health and Addictions Worker for DHSD in Nain; she says that all events will be held at the JSCC.
Sunrise Ceremony will be held with a Community Breakfast starting at 7am with eggs, bacon, sausages, pancakes and fruits.
At 12 noon there will be Partridge soup and panitsiak.
There will also be a time after for crafters and artisans to sell their products.
Russell adds that there will be a bake off with traditional bake off desserts and any entries will be entered in for a random prize.
A puppet show will be showcased at 3pm with a community barbeque starting at 4pm, hotdogs and hamburgers will be served.
Russell says that there will be local musicians and entertainment, the Beardos will be performing. She adds that any youth participating in this event will also be entered for a random prize.
Anyone may also enter for a random prize when you dress in Traditional clothing.
National Ingenious Peoples Day T-shirts will also be given out, and anyone attending these events is asked to bring their own utensils, plates and a bowl, anyone bringing these will also have their name put in for a random prize.
The Nain DHSD adds that they would like to thank all their sponsors and volunteers.
In Rigolet the Department of Health and Social Development will be hosting events starting at 3pm.
Lorraine Allen is the Community Health Worker and she says that they will be meeting at the school and then walk to the net loft.
At the net loft there will be games, refreshments, music and much more.
Allen adds for those wearing traditional clothing, their names will be entered into a draw for a prize.
Any children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
Jennifer Poole is the Recreation Director with PICG; she says that there will be food, entertainment and games to celebrate our heritage.
Dishes are welcome to be made out of Berries, fish, birds and other wild foods to be entered into a draw for a prize.
People are asked to wear something traditional, for example earrings, a hat or even socks.
Poole says that the celebration will start at 5pm at the ball field weather permitting and if the weather is not suitable events will be held at the community center.
National Indigenous Peoples Day events for the community of Makkovik will be incorporated with a town clean up starting on June 23rd -29th.
Linda Pottle the Team Leader for DHSD; she says unfortunately the DHSD office in Makkovik is experiencing some staff shortage so her department was unable to schedule events this year.
MICG will be providing the garbage bags and rubber gloves for the residents.
The Recreation Department of the HICG will be overseeing the National Indigenous Peoples Day events at the Nanuk Center.
Belinda Denniston is the Acting Recreation Director; she says a parade will begin at 5pm and residents who decorate their vehicles, bikes or other form of transportation will be entered into a draw to win a $200 cash prize.
She adds that a feast will begin at 5:30pm serving beef soup, fish and brewis, and hotdogs.
At 6pm there will be a women’s traditional face tattoo competition and there will also be a $200 cash prize.
Denniston says that there will be a Men’s snow goggle making competition, and a men’s silapak making competition along with $200 cash prizes for each category.
At 7:30 pm there will be a throat singing contest for kids and a $100 cash prize.
Inuit games will begin at 8pm for various age categories: 6 to 12 years, 13 to 25 years, 26 to 49 years, and 50 plus, for males and females.
Inuit games will include: seal crawl, monkey dance, owl hop and leg wrestle.