Thursday is National Indigenous Peoples Day in Canada, but the Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation Band has gotten things going early in Corner Brook.
The band held a series of flag-smudging and rising ceremonies Monday morning to mark the upcoming celebration of Indigenous cultures.
The Mi’kmaq flags were first honoured with a drumming and smudging ceremony at the gazebo on the Majestic Lawn. That event also included the planting of a juniper tree on the lawn.
The group then moved to the civic square outside city hall to raise a flag. Flags were also raised at ceremonies held outside the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary headquarters, Grenfell Campus, Memorial University and the College of the North Atlantic.
The band will commence National Indigenous Peoples Day with a sunrise ceremony at Margaret Bowater Park at 5 a.m. Thursday morning. A free community breakfast will follow at the Qalipu Community Room at 1 Church Street.
There will also be events at Margaret Bowater Park, including a barbecue and live entertainment, from 11 a.m. until around 3 p.m. The celebration at the park will also feature Indigenous craft vendors and cultural workshops.
