Timmins will be celebrating First Nations culture this week.
From now until Thursday, National Indigenous Peoples Day will be celebrated at Participark with teachings and games. This is the first year the committee is planning a multi-day celebration. Treasurer with the organization committee Heather Murray says after the first time the Ontario Human Rights Commissioner came to Timmins, the city and Mayor encouraged the committee to do more than one day if they wanted. Murray says this is important to educate the meanings behind why Indigenous people do what they do.
Murray says there will be booths and games set up all week. She says there will also be a scavenger hunt for families. She says you would get a scavenger hunt sheet from the Timmins Native Friendship Centre booth that will take you to the different booths and activities to learn about ceremonies, crafts and culture.
She says the prize for completing the scavenger hunt is going on the inflatables and rock walls.
Murray says there will also be drumming, an open mic night, guest speakers and sunrise ceremony in the park. The city will also be raising three indigenous flags on Thursay morning, followed by a Unity Walk from city hall to Participark. Thursday is National Indigenous Peoples Day and will feature more events and food demonstrations.
Click here for a full events schedule.