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The Manito Ahbee Festival will kick off May 16 at noon with the lighting of the sacred fire at Oodena Circle at The Forks in Winnipeg.
The event is free and open to the public.
Lisa Meeches and Hector Perez-Pacheco will host. Feel the beat of the Buffalo Red Thunder Drummer group while the Eagle Staff is brought to the centre of the Oodena Celebration Circle with Miss Manito Ahbee, Chante Speidel.
Dancers will join Manito Ahbee staff, friends, and community members to walk in the Indigenous Music Award hand drums and place them around the Sacred Fire to be blessed.
Sherryl and David Blacksmith will then lead the Pipe Ceremony and the blessing of the hand drums.
Everyone attending the kick off will have the opportunity to make a tobacco offering at the sacred fire.
Indigenous Music Award Nominee, Carolina East will then treat guests to a performance and lead the last part of the kick Off. To wrap up the celebrations, attendees will join hands for a traditional Friendship Dance to welcome everyone to the Manito Ahbee Festival.
The Indigenous Music Conference takes place May 17 and 18. Youth Education Day is May 18, as is the CBC Music Awards. The International Powwow runs May 19 and May 20.
For more information about the events go to https://www.manitoahbee.com/