Aboriginal day is celebrated throughout Canada on June 21. The day, first celebrated in 1996, recognizes and celebrates the culture of the First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples of Canada.
White Bear Casino and Hotel was one of these locations where people from throughout the area came to take in the festivities and celebrate culture. The day included the annual fish fry which feeds about 700 to 800 people every year, in addition to dancing and drumming by locals.
The children were lined up at the bouncy castle keeping personnel busy, while others took in the horse and buggy rides around the grounds offered by Dale Danscock from Whitewood. Tickets were sold for a hammock, barbecue and patio set and those with players cards could enter for a variety of cultural items.
A spectacular demonstration of dancing and drumming was seen following the fish fry, giving spectators a taste of what is to come during the Bear Claw Casino & Hotel pow wow during the first weekend of August.
Winston Bear from Chacachas First Nations, the announcer for the day, did an excellent job of commentating and explaining the traditional events. Not only was the day one of entertainment and enjoyment, spectators came away with a new appreciation and understanding of the First Nations culture.
Peggy Slykhuis, Marketing Coordinator of Bear Claw Casino & Hotel, said the event was an important event to host. "We have been doing this for about eight years or so, I believe. Being a First Nations company, we believe it is very important to be able to show off our culture, represent who we are and celebrate our heritage. We have a little bit of everything going on out here now such as the First Nations dancers and a fish fry."
As for future plans, Bear Claw Casino & Hotel hopes to become bigger with the addition of a trade show or fair taking place on the grounds.
