Indigenous arts and culture will be celebrated through a new festival announced by the Athabasca Tribal Council.
“We will be hosting Indigenous artists and performers from the region’s First Nations, along with guest artists for three days of spectacular arts and cultural programming,” says Karla Buffalo, CEO of Athabasca Tribal Council.
“This will be a gathering and celebration that welcomes all cultures.”
The inaugural festival will be held at Snye Point Park from Sept. 19 – 21 and will feature over 100 local, national and international Indigenous artists and performers, over 20 workshops and seminars for artists and the public, an exhibition gallery, gift shop, a round dance and a tea dance along with a community feast and main stage shows.
“The Festival truly values the importance of engaging the entire Wood Buffalo region in our quest to shine a light on the creative spirit of our First Nations,” Elena Gould, Director of Education, Culture & Language says. “This will both be an important community event, and a new cultural tourism attraction for Wood Buffalo.”
Syncrude has been named as the title sponsor of the event.
“We are proud to support this festival as the Indigenous communities make a huge contribution to the region’s vibrant arts and culture.” said Kara Flynn, Syncrude’s Vice President of Government and Public Affairs. “Syncrude has helped showcase Indigenous arts and culture for many years and we’re pleased to have another opportunity by supporting this event here.”
The full lineup can be found online along with registration for workshops.
