Anishnawbe Keeshigun goes this weekend

Native culture will be front and centre at Fort William Historical Park this weekend.

The provincial park is set to host the annual Anishnawbe Keeshigun celebration, a three-day homage to First Nations people, their culture and their contribution to the evolution of Canada.

The festival is slated to start on Friday and run through Sunday.

Highlights of Friday’s opening day schedule include a canoe arrival of Native hunters at 12:45 p.m. and a ceremonial gift exchange on the wharf, a powwow at 1 p.m. and bannock competitions at 2 p.m. These events and more will be repeated on Saturday and Sunday.

New this year is the presentation of Drew Hayden Taylor’s one-act play, Toronto at Dreamer’s Rock, which will feature Fort William Historical Park staff as the players.

The curtain will rise at 6:30 p.m. on Friday evening. The performance will be followed by the fiddle and flute music of Arvel Bird.

Both take place in the main square.

Admission to the park for Anishnawbe Keeshigun is free to the public.

For more information, visit www.fwhp.ca.