The community is welcome to participate in Indigenous culture, heritage, wisdom and traditions in Bradford on Friday evening.
Odenaang Circle and the Bradford West Gwillimbury Public Library are hosting the town’s second annual National Indigenous Peoples Day celebration at the library and BWG Leisure Centre set to feature traditional singing, dancing, drum circles, guests speakers a flag raising and a market with 20 different vendors.
“This will be our second year hosting this event and Odenaang Circle is so happy to say that it has grown quite a bit from last year’s celebration,” Odenaang Circle member, Jennifer Bahinski said.
She explained the event is an important way to honour and hold space for those Indigenous people of prior generations, who were restricted under the Indian Act until 1951 from participating in traditional ceremonies or wearing traditional regalia.
“This is a day to celebrate for all those years lost, all our culture that was taken and rejoice that we are here, we are strong and we are still standing. We are very resilient people,” Bahinski said.
Library cultural services manager David di Giovanni suspects this year’s event will be another “exciting, inviting and vibrant expression of wisdom, tradition, and culture.”
“The BWG library is honoured to support this important event for the whole community, where all can learn, participate, and celebrate,” he said.
Elder Jimmy Dick is scheduled to kick off the festivities with an opening ceremony at the leisure centre at 471 West Park Ave. at 5 p.m. followed by a reading of the town proclamation and a flag raising.
Then, at 5:30 p.m., Asha Frost is set to speak as the open-air market becomes available for guests to browse on the library’s west lawn at 425 Holland St. W. with items including beaded jewellery, crafts, dream catchers, apparel, accessories and printed artwork.
The Bradford Arts School also plans to sponsor a kids craft table and guests might want to grab a bite to eat from Foodiez Food Truck or get some Gourmet Popcorn by Poppify Me.
That energy may be helpful for those planning to participate in the drum circles and dancing planned from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., including performances from Jimmy Dick and the Eagle Heart Singers as well as the Red Spirit Singers.
While her family roots are in Serpent River First Nation, Bahinski said her immediate family grew up in Toronto at a time when there was “very blatant racism,” and as a result some people from older generations were “ashamed” to admit their Indigenous heritage — a burden Bahinski hopes can be eased through the annual celebration as people “reclaim” the culture and roots that were taken from them.
“I’m hoping that people will be able to experience the richness and the depth of Indigenous culture and traditions. There is very strong roots in spirituality and I think that’s a beautiful thing to share with our Bradford community,” she said. “Through knowledge and exposure of different cultures, everyone benefits and gains a sense of stronger community where all cultures are valued and welcome.”
In the event of rain, the vendors and performers are set to move into the Zima Room and various other parts of the library.
For more information about Odenaang Circle, follow the group on Instagram.
