From August 30 to September 3, 2018 in Quebec City
QUEBEC CITY, June 20, 2018 /CNW Telbec/ - The KWE! Meet with Indigenous Peoples event is returning for a second year, from August 30 to September 3, 2018 at the Place de l'Assemblée-Nationale in Quebec City (opposite the Tourny Fountain). Last year, more than 25,000 visitors gathered for this event, which aims to highlight the cultures of Indigenous peoples in Quebec through musical and cultural performances, discussions as well as demonstrations of traditional know-how. For five days, the general public is invited to meet the 11 Indigenous Nations and thus learn more about the realities, issues and cultures of the First Nations and Inuit in a setting focused on pleasure and sharing!
"KWE! is a special moment for all those who wish to better understand the cultures, history and spirit of the Indigenous Nations. It is a positive, open and dynamic gathering and an opportunity to go and meet others", said the spokesperson for the event, Stanley Vollant, an Innu surgeon and founder of the Puamun Meshkenu (the Path of a thousand dreams).
Families are invited to come out and participate in large numbers. There are activities that are especially organized for children, such as arts and crafts workshops and make-up.
"It is important to allow peoples to come together and for the public to learn more about our realities and the day-to-day issues affecting First Nations and Inuit. This is a chance to gather in friendship and fraternity to celebrate and, above all, this is a unique opportunity to get to know each other better. Our door is open, we welcome you with open arms. Come with your children, your families, your friends, wonderful surprises await you", added the Grand Chief of the Huron-Wendat Nation, Konrad Sioui.
DIVERSIFIED PROGRAMMING
Many activities will be held over the course of the long weekend, promoting exchanges and a gathering in a friendly and festive environment:
- The Cultural Hub of the 11 Nations;
- The "Indigenous Peoples: Fact and Fiction" space (in partnership with the Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse and Quebec Native Women);
- A tourism space (in partnership with Quebec Aboriginal Tourism);
- A creative space for youth (featuring crafting and make-up activities);
- A demonstration space for arts and crafts and discussions;
- An indigenous literature space (in partnership with the Librairie Hannenorak);
- The food trucks of the Sagamité and the community of Wôlinak.
The public is also invited to participate in the continuous activities under the shaputuan, including: tales and legends, short films from the Wapikoni Mobile, workshops on the Wendat language and workshops on medicinal herbs in partnership with the Cree Women of Eeyou Istchee Association.
The evenings will end with musical performances by Indigenous artists, or musical encounters between Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists. The opening show on Thursday, August 30th will feature young artists who participated in the Nikamu manuitun artistic residency of the Festival de Petite Vallée 2017 as well as Innu artist Florent Vollant. As for the show on August 31st, it will feature performances by the Beatrice Deer Band and Maten. On Saturday, September 1st, get ready for an evening of hip-hop with performances by Q052, Anishnabe rapper Samian and Loco Locass who will be welcoming guest artists. The show on September 2nd will feature Atikamekw singer-songwriter Pascal Ottawa, the Midnight Riders and David Hart.
"The Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador is proud to contribute to the organization of this second edition of KWE! Meet with Indigenous Peoples. We also have a responsibility to encourage a better understanding of the realities specific to our Nations, in order to ensure a better coexistence. The AFNQL invites you to seize this opportunity by participating in great numbers to this meeting", concluded Mr. Ghislain Picard, Chief of the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador.
The activities of this second edition of KWE! Meet with Indigenous Peoples will begin on August 30th at 5 pm. The complete programming is available online at kwequebec.com and on the Facebook page of the event: Facebook.com\kwequebecenglish. Free admission.
KWE! Meet with Indigenous Peoples is organized by the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador in partnership with the Conseil de la Nation huronne-wendat, the host Nation for the event.
Several partners made this event possible: The Government of Canada, the Government of Quebec, the City of Quebec, the Commission de la capitale nationale du Québec, Quebec City Tourism, the Canadian National Railway (CN), the Fondation Lucie et André Chagnon, Quebec Aboriginal Tourism, Quebec Native Women, Wapikoni Mobile, the Cree Women of Eyou Istchee Association, the Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse and the Microbrasserie Archibald.
SOURCE Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador
and interviews: Alicia Rochevrier, AR Communication, 418-929-7880, [email protected]; Alain Garon, Communications Officer, Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador, 418-254-4620, [email protected]
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