Council backs new Indigenous celebration

The people that made Edmonton the site of Canada’s first national gathering of Indigenous elders last year are launching a major new celebration.

This September, Edmonton is expected to play host to a national scale powwow, Indigenous fashion show, hand-games tournament, and competitions for fiddling, jigging, throat singing and drumming. It’s expected to draw up to 10,000 participants to the Expo Centre over three days, with participation by Canada’s First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples.

Council pledged $200,000 to support the event Tuesday.

“It’s definitely meant to be world-class,” said Rob Houle, acting director of Edmonton’s Indigenous relations office, commenting on the size of the prizes being offered for the events.

The fashion show is meant to be the western equivalent to the recent Indigenous Fashion Week Toronto. It will be open to both Indigenous and non-Indigenous residents to attend, said Houle, expecting a major marketing campaign. It runs from Sept. 28-30.

Last year’s National Gathering of Elders drew 5,000 people, twice the anticipated crowd, and Houle said Edmonton is becoming a city increasingly recognized as a natural place for these types of events.

“It started with the final truth and reconciliation event,” he said.

Council’s memorandums of understanding with Treaty 6, the Métis Nation, Enoch First Nation and other work has only reinforced that. It’s starting to create a great sense of welcome for Indigenous communities.

Council heard Tuesday that $1 million of the event’s $1.4 million budget for the National Indigenous Cultural Expo has already been secured. City officials estimate it will contribute $6 million to the local economy through hotel stays, restaurant visits, transportation and other spending.

Organizers include representatives of Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta, Assembly of First Nations — Alberta, Métis Settlements General Council, Métis Nation of Alberta, Tungasuvvingat Inuit and the Inuit Edmontonmiut.