Aboriginal Day celebrations planned for Labrador

Three Aboriginal groups in Labrador will be busy celebrating their culture on Sunday, June 21.

Innu, Inuit and NunatuKavut community council members are all taking part in National Aboriginal Day celebrations.

In Sheshatshiu, Innu people have been celebrating since Friday.

One of the most popular events is the tent set-up contest.

"It obviously has to be durable, and [set up]in a way that's very precise," saidJack Penashue, whois organizing some of the activitieson the beach in Sheshatshiu.

He saidcanvas tents are a big part of the Innu people's identity a big reason why it's serious business for the competitors.

"You will be judged on how straight it is and how many poles you got in there, and in terms of the lengths of the poles and how you set up the camp the whole thing," he explained.

The Labrador Friendship Centre in Happy Valley-Goose Bay is also holding an event.

One of the main attractions is the drum dancer group, Inosuttuit Nipingit.

Ricky Daniels,23,is one of the performers.

"I just love doing it.It's something I've known for a long while. When I was really young I couldn't speak it (Inuktitut) properly. They didn't teach me Inuktitut, so I got into this andat least I know about this."

Keeping the Inuit drum dancing tradition alive in Labrador is motivation for other dancers as well.

Destiny Solomon is a 14-year-old performer who joined the group as soon as she was old enough.

"My mom and dad were very proud of me because I am keeping my culture as I grow up. The language is going away and all that, but the drumming is staying with me."

NunatuKavut traditions, games and music will also be celebrated on Sunday afternoon at the same location as the Labrador Friendship Centre.

That event is from 1 p.m. to4p.m. Sunday on Grenfell Street.

The Innu festivities on Sunday run from1 p.m. to 11p.m., ending with a fireworks display.