Photos: Aboriginal Awareness Week opening ceremonies held at Elbow River Camp
Kyle Young Pine, a southern-style fancy feather dancer, performs at the opening ceremonies for Aboriginal Awareness Week 2022 at the Elbow River Camp in Calgary on Monday, June 20, 2022. The event marked a return to in-person ceremonies after two years of virtually held ones. ARYN TOOMBS / FOR LIVEWIRE CALGARY
For more than 20 years, Aboriginal Awareness Week in Calgary has served to celebrate and bring attention to the culture of Indigenous communities in and around the city.
Dignitaries, city councillors, representatives from the Calgary Fire Department, the Calgary Stampede, AAWC partner sponsors, and the public were on hand to open the start of the week’s events.
The grand entrance procession also marked the first time in two-years that ceremonies were held in person. The opening ceremonies were held at the Calgary Stampede Elbow River Camp.
Sikapinakii Low Horn, the 2022 Calgary Stampede First Nations Princess, was on hand to speak about the continuing importance of Indigenous people having a presence at the Stampede grounds.
“I want to speak of one very important community leader was also from Siksika, Elder Maggie Black Hill, who was a little girl in 1912 when her family came to Camp, and that shows how strong the relationship is for the 110 years between Treaty Seven and the Calgary Stampede” said Low Horn.
“This makes me incredibly proud. When I think about the century plus relationship that is highlighted and honoured, especially during Indigenous Awareness Week in Calgary,” she said.
A full listing of the history of AAWC, and upcoming events is available at www.aawc.ca. The week culminates on Saturday, June 25, with National Indigenous Family Day and Powwow at the south grounds of Stampede Park.
Photos from the opening ceremonies
Kyle Young Pine, a southern-style fancy feather dancer, performs at the opening ceremonies for Aboriginal Awareness Week 2022 at the Elbow River Camp in Calgary on Monday, June 20, 2022. The event marked a return to in-person ceremonies after two years of virtually held ones. ARYN TOOMBS / FOR LIVEWIRE CALGARYEya-Hay Nakoda performs during the opening ceremonies for Aboriginal Awareness Week 2022 at the Elbow River Camp in Calgary on Monday, June 20, 2022. ARYN TOOMBS / FOR LIVEWIRE CALGARYThe grand entrance procession during the opening ceremonies for Aboriginal Awareness Week 2022 at the Elbow River Camp in Calgary on Monday, June 20, 2022. ARYN TOOMBS / FOR LIVEWIRE CALGARYThe grand entrance procession during the opening ceremonies for Aboriginal Awareness Week 2022 at the Elbow River Camp in Calgary on Monday, June 20, 2022. ARYN TOOMBS / FOR LIVEWIRE CALGARYCalgary City Councillors walk in the grand entrance at the opening ceremonies for Aboriginal Awareness Week 2022 at the Elbow River Camp in Calgary on Monday, June 20, 2022. ARYN TOOMBS / FOR LIVEWIRE CALGARYThe grand entrance assembles during the opening ceremonies for Aboriginal Awareness Week 2022 at the Elbow River Camp in Calgary on Monday, June 20, 2022. ARYN TOOMBS / FOR LIVEWIRE CALGARYSikapinakii Low Horn, the 2022 Calgary Stampede First Nation Princess, smiles during the opening ceremonies for Aboriginal Awareness Week 2022 at the Elbow River Camp in Calgary on Monday, June 20, 2022. ARYN TOOMBS / FOR LIVEWIRE CALGARYWard 3 Councillor Jasmine Mian, acting as Deputy Mayor, reads a proclamation from Mayor Jyoti Gondek and City Council for the opening ceremonies for Aboriginal Awareness Week 2022 at the Elbow River Camp in Calgary on Monday, June 20, 2022. ARYN TOOMBS / FOR LIVEWIRE CALGARYAttendees solemnly watch a short video highlighting the importance of the continuing work for missing, murdered, and exploited Indigenous Women during the opening ceremonies for Aboriginal Awareness Week 2022 at the Elbow River Camp in Calgary on Monday, June 20, 2022. ARYN TOOMBS / FOR LIVEWIRE CALGARYKyle Young Pine, a southern-style fancy feather dancer, performs at the opening ceremonies for Aboriginal Awareness Week 2022 at the Elbow River Camp in Calgary on Monday, June 20, 2022. The event marked a return to in-person ceremonies after two years of virtually held ones. ARYN TOOMBS / FOR LIVEWIRE CALGARYWomen of Song perform during the opening ceremonies for Aboriginal Awareness Week 2022 at the Elbow River Camp in Calgary on Monday, June 20, 2022. ARYN TOOMBS / FOR LIVEWIRE CALGARYCalgary Fire Department Chief Steve Dongworth posed for photos with attendees at the opening ceremonies for Aboriginal Awareness Week 2022 at the Elbow River Camp in Calgary on Monday, June 20, 2022. ARYN TOOMBS / FOR LIVEWIRE CALGARY
