How to mark National Indigenous Peoples Day in Waterloo region, Guelph

Friday is National Indigenous Peoples Day and there are number of local events planned for that day and over the course of the weekend.

At First Light

Friday 5:59 a.m. to 8 a.m.

TheMuseum, downtown Kitchener

A traditional sunrise ceremony will be held with Haudenosaunee community member Kelly Fran Davis, who will share teachings and lead a tobacco offering. Local fire keeper Al McDonald will also be on hand.

Drumming performances

Friday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Schneider Haus, Kitchener

This event will feature various drumming and dancing performances including Spirit Nation Youth Drumming. There will be a talk about drums with Scott Norton as well as an Indigenous community vendor market and an Indigenous organizations information fair.

Guelph celebration

Friday 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Riverside Park, Guelph

This event will include music, dancing, drumming and stories, along with vendors who will have food and crafts available for purchase.

Solidarity Day in Six Nations

Friday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Six Nations Community Hall, 1738 Fourth Line.

A day of festivities that includes food, entertainment and a midway.

Summer Solstice Saturday

Saturday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Kitchener Farmers' Market

This event, hosted by Willow River Centre, will include live music and craft vendors.

Celebration at Woodland Cultural Centre

Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Woodland Cultural Centre, 184 Mohawk St., Brantford

This event will include contemporary and cultural performances, interactive demonstrations, workshops, vendors, food, music and tours of the museum and galleries.

The centre is the former Mohawk Institute Residential School. The event is free but a donation is suggested.

CBC programs

• Join CBC K-W's The Morning Edition starting at 5:57 a.m. Friday to hear National Indigenous Peoples Day stories.
• On CBC Gem, watch the 2024 Indspire Awards, music performances in a show called Come Toward The Fire, a documentary called Eagle & Hawk Take the Stage and a special called Still Standing about Rankin Inlet, Nunavut.
• CBC Music will have a full day of radio programming highlighting Indigenous artists, songwriters and composers.
• CBC News Network will have coverage of events across the country throughout the day.
• On Sunday, CBC Radio and CBC Listen will feature the 10th anniversary special of Unreserved. It's a live taping with host Rosanna Deerchild that celebrates a decade of learning and unlearning. The show includes comedy by Sherry McKay, music by Douzie and the return of the Aunties Circle featuring Vida Lamour, Sonya Ballantyne and Shelagh Rogers.

Did we miss an event? Email us to let us know.