MNO Part of National Aboriginal Day Celebration in Ottawa

MNO citizens and staff at the MNO booth during the Summer
Solstice National Aboriginal Arts Festival in Ottawa on June 17-19.
(Right to left) Jo-Ann Wass, PCMNO Councillor for Region 6, Melissa
Pigeau with the MNO Healing and Wellness Branch, Benny Michaud
with the MNO Education and Training Branch, Senator Reta Gordon,
Senator Lois McCallum and Daniel Gilbeau, President of the Ottawa
Métis Community Council

The Summer Solstice Aboriginal Arts Festival is held every year in Ottawa as part of celebrations leading up to National Aboriginal Day. It is estimated that over 10,000 people attended this year’s festival, which was held June 17-19.  The festival included a large number of vendors displaying Aboriginal art and great Aboriginal dancers and performers, both traditional and contemporary.

Among the many displays and vendors was the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) booth.  The booth attracted a great deal of attention and there was great interest in the MNO and its programs.  Erin Tomkins, a MNO staff member who helped out at the booth and participated in much of the festival said: “It was a great experience and we are really happy that we were able to raise the MNO’s profile at this awesome Aboriginal event!”