Gros Morne Indigenous festival cancelled after criticism

A festival in western Newfoundland has been abruptly cancelled, six weeks before the event was to happen.

The QalipuCultural Foundation posted on its website Thursday thatthe Gros Morne Indigenous Cultural Festival, set for August 4-6 in Cow Head, has been cancelled.

Organizers said the festival was intended to be an opportunity for artisans, story-tellers, musicians and crafts people to share their talents and gifts and to acquire new skills.

But critics blasted the event, saying it was badly timed and planned by the wrong people. Those opposed to the event argued it was being put on to satisfy tourists instead of genuinely marking Indigenous culture.

• 'Attraction for tourists': Mi'kmaq man fears festival may exploit Indigenous culture

The former chief of the Indian Head First Nation Band, Hayward Young, told CBC News in May that he didn't want his culture put on display and exploited at a time when many Mi'kmaq are just re-learning their customs.

"The government wants us there because it's an attraction for tourists to the area. And that's not what we're about," he said.

At the time, Parks Canada said it did not want to exploit or offend anyone.

"Despite the cancellation of this event, the Qalipu First Nation and Parks Canada will continue to work together to provide opportunities for cultural sharing and skills development," organizers of the festival wrote on Thursday.