BONNYVILLE – The Bonnyville community experienced Indigenous culture during the Voices of the Land Festival presented by the Bonnyville Friendship Centre on July 24 at the Cenovus Energy Arena.
From crafts, art, traditional performances, and fun activities like axe throwing, the festival attracted over 1,000 people, not including the vendors and performers, said Rebekah Gobert, youth coordinator at the Bonnyville Friendship Centre.
"It was basically about everyone coming out to enjoy and experience the culture together," and to bridge the gap between non-Indigenous and Indigenous people in a unified celebration, she said.
The evening culminated with a powwow exhibit by dancers, performers, and singers from different First Nations, organized by Indigenous liaison Jackson Rolling Thunder Tahuka.
Gobert thanked everyone who came out. "Without the community and surrounding communities, we wouldn't be able to do this," she said.
She also thanked Alberta Health Services, which helped fund the event through the Honouring Life program, as well as all volunteers who came out to give their time.
Gobert also invites the community to some upcoming events hosted by the Friendship Centre, including a fundraiser gala on Sept. 26 for the local food bank.
"It's Studio 54-themed. It'll be so much fun," she said.
The community is also welcome to honour the National Day of Action for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) with the Friendship Centre on Oct. 6.
