Crawford Lake, Photo: Brock University
June is National Indigenous History Month.
On Friday, June 21st, it will also be National Indigenous Peoples Day. In honour of the day, Crawford Lake Conservation Area is hosting a festival to celebrate Indigenous history and culture in the park’s reconstructed 15th century Longhouse Village. It’s running on Saturday, June 22nd, from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. The festival is delivered in partnership with Grandmother’s Voice, a visionary Indigenous organization that aims to unite Indigenous voices while extending a warm invitation to individuals from all directions.
“We’re proud to offer a day of celebration and education at Crawford Lake during National Indigenous History Month, in partnership with Grandmother’s Voice,” says Craig Machan, Director, Parks & Operations at Conservation Halton. “With three reconstructed longhouses, Crawford Lake’s Longhouse Village is an exceptional place to visit to experience culture and history and to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 22. Our partners at Grandmother’s Voice will be leading programs for visitors of all ages that inspire learning about the land and that bring stories of the past to life.”
Guests can gather by the fire to learn about Indigenous history and culture from Elders Renee Thomas-Hill, Gail Whitlow, and Alan Sutherland. Guests can also explore the Deer Clan Longhouse exhibit and visit the Three Sisters Garden, planted by Ojibiikaan Indigenous Cultural Network, to learn about traditional Indigenous agriculture and foodways. Lacrosse sticks and balls will also be available to play with in the village, to honour the Indigenous origins of the sport. Kids joining the festivities will also love learning about archaeology in Ontario while getting their hands dirty doing a simulated dig. Complete the day with a trip to the rare meromictic lake for a stroll around the boardwalk and see the larger-than-life chainsaw sculptures of species at risk on the trail.
This event is free for Conservation Halton members, and non-members are welcome to attend by making a park reservation for Crawford Lake online. For more information on this event and other happenings at Conservation Halton Parks, click here.
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