Sunday June 17th, 2012 Celebrate National Aboriginal Day

This coming Thursday is National Aboriginal Day, a time to celebrate aboriginal culture and heritage.  Here at the library we not only have books, films, and music dedicated to aboriginal culture, but also special programming this week.

On Tuesday June 19th join us at the Mary J.L. Black Library for a screening of Long Journey Home:  Residential School Revisited.  This documentary produced by Nishnawbe Aski Nation features nine women from Webequie First Nation.  It documents their journey, as they return to their residential school in Moose Factory on James Bay.  The journey was a way of continuing the healing of the emotional wounds left by their separation from family as very young children, a loss of identify, and physical and sexual abuse.  We will be joined by some of the individuals involved in the production of the film for a question and answer period.

On Saturday June 23rd families are invited to attend Turtle Island Tales Story Time and Craft at Waverley Library with Serena Essex from the Indian Friendship Centre.  This is an all ages, drop-in program; no need to register!  For more information about our library programs please visit our website at www.tbpl.ca and check out our events calendar at the bottom of the home page.

Of course the big event is on Thursday June 21st at Prince Arthur’s Landing.  This year’s theme is “Sustainability”, keeping that in mind organizers are encouraging people to bring their own reusable water bottles, plates, cups, utensils, etc. to avoid throwing away as many paper products as we can.  Water will be available on site and we will have everything required for the feast, so don’t worry if you are unable to bring your own.  Speaking of the feast here’s a quick overview of the day’s schedule:

•    5:00 Sunrise Ceremony (Coffee, Tea, Juice and Fruit will be provided)
•    10:00 Variety of Crafts, Storytelling and/or Games (To be confirmed)
•    11:00 Welcome Address
•    12:00 Grand Entry
•    1:00 Opening Ceremonies
•    4:30 Feast and Youth Entertainment
•    6:00 Pow Wow Continues
•    8:00 Giveaways and Closing Ceremonies

For more information about our local National Aboriginal Day celebrations please visit www.nationalaboriginaldaythunderbay.ca  I hope to see you there!

Before, during, and after National Aboriginal Day I hope you will come in and check out our Aboriginal collections.  As the school year comes to a close and summer begins it is a wonderful time to share stories with family and friends.  I particularly enjoy sharing children’s stories as we can sit and read a book in its entirety.  Some titles to look for include:  Morning on the Lake by Jan Bourdeau Waboose, Fatty Legs by Christy Jordan-Fenton, Nanabosho & Porcupine by Joe McLellan and Matrine McLellan, and As Long as the Rivers Flow by Larry Loyie with Constance Brissenden.  These are naturally only a small sampling of our children’s books; come in and browse our Aboriginal collections in adult fiction and non-fiction, DVDs, and music.

Ruth Hamlin-Douglas