On June 21, the University of Alberta’s Augustana campus played host to the city of Camrose’s National Aboriginal Day Celebrations. Alongside the Augustana campus and Camrose community, over 1600 elementary and junior high school students attended sessions throughout the day which included storytelling by Elder Myrna Yellowbird of Samson Cree Nation, followed by traditional Aboriginal dancing, performed by Red Thunder the Next Generation, a group from the Tsuu T’ina Nation.
The day allowed visitors the chance to experience and celebrate Indigenous culture and heritage, and was an enormous success. If you weren’t able to make it out to see the celebration in person, check out the photo recap below!
Crowds filled in the Augustana soccer field around 10 am Wednesday morning to kick off the celebrations. School children sat in a circle on the grass, while tents were provided for community members.
Elder Myrna Yellowbird from Samson Cree Nation brought her granddaughter along to tell a story.
The first session began with a thanks from Jane Cherry-Lemire, Director of the Camrose Arts Society, to all of those who came out to celebrate!
Following Cherry-Lemire, Associate Dean Academic Karsten Mündel welcomed everyone to Augustana and acknowledged the traditional territory on which the celebration was gathered.
Elder Myrna Yellowbird and her granddaughter shared the story Secret of the Dance by Andrea Spalding and Alfred Scow, about a boy whose family is forbidden to dance.
Over 800 schoolchildren attended the first session, enraptured by Yellowbird’s storytelling, and later, lively for the traditional dance performance.
Members of the First Nation dance company Red Thunder the Next Generation in regalia.
Red Thunder began with introductions and a grand entrance by each dancer.
The dancers performed the Women’s Fancy Shawl and the Grass Dance.
The onlookers were wowed by the performance.
Each dance was accompanied by drumming and singing.
The Crow Hop Dance, meant to mimic a crow as it bounces across a field.
At the end of the performance, Red Thunder invited children to participate in a Round Dance.
Tia Lalani — Communications Coordinator, Augustana Campus
Tia is the communications coordinator for the University of Alberta’s Augustana campus, where she did her undergraduate degree in English. After completing an MA, also in English, at the University of Alberta’s North campus, she attended a Publishing Institute at New York University before returning to her alma mater in Camrose. Tia loves reading, writing, and feigning photography skills.