National Aboriginal Day in St. John's

June 21st is National Aboriginal Day.

Organizations across the country will hold events to mark the day.

David Penner is the Executive Director for St. John’s Native Friendship Centre.

He says they will have an early sunrise ceremony starting at 6am at the Shanaw Dithit Memorial Site.

Maria Basto, an Inuk originally from Hopedale, will do the opening prayer in Inuktitut.

In the afternoon they will hold their annual events.

The youth will wear their traditional clothing, and the First Nations will wear their fancy shawls.

The men and women will drum dance as well.

There will be Tee-pee tents set up in their property as well as a Settlers tent.

There will also be ticket draws, Inuktitut storytelling, northern games and face painting for the children.

Penner adds that the day will end with a traditional feed of caribou, moose and seal meat soup and bannock.