Stouffville is going to get loud on June 22 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. when the Indigenous Peoples Day celebration rolls through Memorial Park.
The event, presented by Indigenous Action Committee with multiple partners, will feature a variety of entertainment including traditional Indigenous drums and dancers, live music from Wildhorse (with more acts to be announced), speakers, crafts, and vendors.
Stouffville has a rich Indigenous history and is home to the Jean-Baptiste Lainé Site.
The Jean-Baptiste Lainé Site (previously referred to as the Mantle Site) was home to a remarkable late 16th-century Wendat community. Of all sites in Southern Ontario that have been almost completely excavated (90 per cent), it is considered one of the largest and most complex. The site was uncovered in a farmer’s field during preparations for the construction of a subdivision just southeast of downtown Stouffville. Covering almost seven acres, over 150,000 artifacts were uncovered between 2003-2005.
“It is time to celebrate the history and culture of the Indigenous people in York Region and to be able to do it in Stouffville where the Jean-Baptiste Lainé site existed is thrilling and will be powerful,” says Matt Bergman, president of the Indigenous Action Committee. “We are happy to be working with the municipality to create this meaningful event, and look forward to working more with them in the future on other events and workshops.”
Indigenous vendors and organizations wishing to attend can take advantage of early bird pricing and pay only $60/spot.
For more information, visit www.indigenousactioncommittee.com or email [email protected].
