First we would like to thank the organisers; National Aboriginal Day is hosted in partnership by: Aboriginal Education Council, City of Prince Rupert and The Friendship House Association of Prince Rupert. The National Aboriginal Day planning committee is made up of people representing many nations and Aboriginal groups in Prince Rupert.

This committee began planning National Aboriginal Day celebrations in 1999. In 2001 the committee began to book nationally renowned Aboriginal entertainers. (Tom Jackson, Derek Miller, Sandy Scofield, Susan Aglukark, Mike Gouchie, George Leach, Cheri Maracle, Reddnation, Tracey Bone, Missy Knott. This year's headliner will be Jason Burnstick.

The celebrations have always included local First Nations & Metis dancers and singers. We also invite local talent: singers & musicians to perform. There is never a charge for admission, coffee, tea or snack. They event is open to people of all cultures. We always invite local groups to put up booths to sell food and crafts. Every year we get between 1500 – 2000 people attend the event. The event is always held on the 21st of June regardless of the day of the week.

National Aboriginal Day is a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the richness and diversity of Aboriginal people and their contributions to the development of Canada. This celebration’s also pays tribute to the strength of our ancestors by connection the past, present and future generations.

National Aboriginal Day is an opportunity to actively demonstrate the pride Aboriginal people have in their culture. It is also very valuable in helping to educate Canadians about Canada’s original people.

The event will begin at 12:00pm with a number of speakers including Mayor Jack Mussallem, MLA Gary Coons and Port Edward Mayor Dave MacDonald .

Throughout the day there will many performances including:
Lax Kw’Alaams Tribal Dancers - 12:45pm
Sugigyet Dancers at 2:15pm
North Coast Ceremonial Dancers at 4:30 pm
The final group to dance will be the
Kwe Uglis Dancers at 5:45 pm

Musical performers:
Local Jaime Aubee at 1:30 pm,
Pineridge Drummers at 2:00 pm

Jason Burnstick, who is a Juno and Jessie Richardson Award nominee, will be traveling to Prince Rupert to perform live with his arrangement of different music styles including blues and folk music. Burnstick will do two different sets, the first at 3:00pm and again at 6:30 pm

The Hartley Bay Gospel Singers at 4:00pm
Then at 5:15pm, local Charlie Carlick will be performing.