Photo – Master of Ceremonies Bob Goulais hosts the Grand Opening for the National Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration at the Makate Waagamichiwanang Gakinaa’amaatiwin Youth and Family Wellness Camp on June 21, 2025.
Ogimaawabiitong (Kenora Chiefs Advisory) is sending a huge Miigwetch to everyone who helped make our National Indigenous Peoples Day celebration so special!
Held annually at the Makate Waagamichiwanang Gakinaa’amaatiwin Youth and Family Wellness Camp, formerly known as the KCA Youth and Family Wellness Camp, our National Indigenous Peoples Day celebration allows people from across Treaty #3 to come together for a day of culture, connection, and celebration of the region’s Indigenous history, teachings, and heritage.
The day began with a traditional Grand Opening and drumming hosted by the day’s Master of Ceremonies Bob Goulais of Nipissing First Nation, our drummers, and KCA’s Grandmother Drum, Shawanoong Banaise’seek.
The opening ceremony also included words from a number of local leaders, including Wauzhushk Onigum Nation Chief Chris Skead, Naotkamegwanning First Nation Chief Gary Tom, Grassy Narrows First Nation Chief Sherry Ackabee, Dave Paul of Northwest Angle #33 First Nation, Kenora MP Eric Melillo, Kenora MPP Greg Rickford, Kenora Mayor Andrew Poirier, KCA leadership, and leadership from the Ma’mo’weh Wii’soo’ka’tiwin Foundation.
Hundreds of community members were then able to enjoy Indigenous music, crafters, local food stations, traditional knowledge sharing, dancing demonstrations, water sports, bouncy castles, beach volleyball, and so much more.
We send a huge Miigwetch to everyone who helped make the celebration possible, including our Elders, leadership, community members, staff, vendors, drummers, Bob Goulais, the Ma’mo’weh Wii’soo’ka’tiwin Foundation, and guests.
KCA would also like to recognize the support of our amazing Partners and Sponsors for the day, including: the Kenora and Lake of the Woods Community Foundation, MNP, Kenora GM, Dufresne’s Kenora, Lake of the Woods Speedway, Q-Power Communications, Rotary Club of Kenora, Canadian Mental Health Association – Kenora, City of Kenora, WNHAC, Kenora OPP, Treaty #3 Police Service, Grand Council Treaty #3, Ne-Chee Friendship Centre, and Kenora Pride.
