Aboriginal Day celebrations at Fort George Park feature music and a talent show in the bandshell

Prince George, BC – Celebrating Diversity is the theme of this year's National Aboriginal Day…

During the welcoming ceremony at Fort George Park, Carrier Sekani Tribal Chief Terry Teegee, noted the diversity that exists in BC, alone.  "If you just look at British Columba as First Nations and Aboriginal peoples – we've got so many tribes, whether you're Carrier, Gitxsan, Sekani, Treaty 8 in the Cree Territory, Shuswap, Coast-Salish, Nuu Chah Nulth on the Island, Haida Gwaii – we're so diverse and distinct as a culture."

Teegee said that diversity extends right across the country.  "And that's what we're here to celebrate today and acknowledge that the Indigenous People have never left and welcome you to this place that we know as Canada."

Teegee told those gathered that he's hopeful Aboriginals and non-Aboriginals will continue together to bridge divides and erase inequalities.  "I think in this generation and the next generation we'll see that there will be a better relationship with our brothers and sisters across this country and that's what we should think about today."

He reminded the crowd of Coast-Salish Chief, Dan George's dream of walking hand-in-hand with non-Aboriginals in peace, justice and harmony.  "And I think that's what today is about, that's what everyday should be about."

Prince George Native Friendship Centre Executive Director, Barb Ward-Burkitt, thanked the organizers of today's celebration and those who came down to the park to participate.

"Historically, as First Nations people, we used to gather – and we'd come together and we'd listen to music; and we'd eat together; and we'd have our medicines that guided us in a good way."

She encouraged everybody in attendance to come together in that good way again.

 Joyce Harry and Gary Stieman travelled to Prince George from the Cariboo-Chilcotin for today's celebrations…

Harry is a member of the Northern Shuswap's Canoe Creek Band, while Stieman is a member of the Toosey Indian Band, west of Williams Lake.

The pair were delighted to take part in this morning's parade from City Hall to Fort George Park, which kick-started the celebrations.

Stieman says he participated in last year's events in Williams Lake, but wanted to be part of a larger celebration this year.

Members of the Lheidli T'enneh Drummers accompanied the singing of the national anthem to welcome those gathered in the park.

Live entertainment – music, dancing, and a talent show – will continue until 4pm.

Photo at left shows Jeremiah Munger dressed in the House of Black Bear regalia from the Lake Babine Nation.

Munger lives in Gran Isle, but travelled to Prince George with other members of the Lake Babine Nation to perform a number of traditional dances on stage this afternoon.