Guelph celebrated Indigenous culture Thursday on a glorious evening in more ways than one on Carden Street.
National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrated the culture, unique heritage and notable achievements of Canada’s First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples
The three-hour event on a closed-off Carden Street featured dancing, music, drumming, children's crafts and vendors. It attracted roughly 400 people.
"It's a good day for us to get to know one another a bit better, to share our stories, to hear the truths and to continue to build relationship in the vision of reconciliation," said Anishnabe elder and culture keeper Jan Sherman.
She said it was a day of love, compassion and "movement to reconciling with our Mother Earth first, in order for us to reconcile with one another."
World champion hoop dancer Ascension Harjo thrilled the crowd.
Mayor Cam Guthrie said he learns every time he attends events like Thursdays.
Guelph's new MPP Mike Schreiner said it was important for all levels of government to engage in "true reconciliation."
"It's so important to open our hearts, our minds and our souls to reconciliation with Mother Earth and reconciliation with all peoples," Schreiner said.
