2007 Press Releases
3rd Annual Cleansing Ceremony Prelude To National Aboriginal Day In Edmonton
EDMONTON, AB (June 18, 2007) - The Ramada Hotel & Conference Centre on Kingsway, owned and managed by CHIP Hospitality, winner of the 2006 Pinnacle Award for Hotel Company of the Year, is honored to host the 3rd Annual Cleansing Ceremony as the official prelude to National Aboriginal Day (NAD) celebrations in Edmonton. This event will take place on Wednesday, June 20 at 10:00am as a way of recognizing National Aboriginal Day.
The free event is open to the media and public and celebrates the contributions and diverse cultures of Canada's First Nations, Métis and Inuit people.
"We have been blessed with the cultural guidance offered by Elder Jerry Wood who will conduct a Tree of Life Ceremony and Cleansing Ceremony," said Caroline Thompson, Regional Director of Sales & Marketing for CHIP Hospitality.
In addition, the Ramada Hotel has commissioned "Embracing our Future" by Anasatsia Poitras that will be unveiled, blessed and placed on permanent display in the hotel's lobby.
Lesley MacDonald, producer and host of the Global Woman of Vision Television series, will emcee this event, along with co-emcee, Corbin Poitras. The program will include remarks from Ron Hayter, Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Relations and the National Aboriginal Day Chairperson.
The event will also showcase a variety of Aboriginal entertainment with a signing of Oh Canada in Cree, Métis dancers, Inuit performances, Flute Performance, Fancy Dancers and a Medicine Man Song from Kwakwak'awakw Nation. Councilor Ron Hayter will bring greetings from the City of Edmonton and present a proclamation. A feast of bannock, berries, coffee and tea will follow a closing prayer by an Inuit Elder. In addition, there will exhibitors on site to help promote National Aboriginal Day and strengthen their community partnerships.
"I am truly grateful for all of the community support we are receiving," said National Aboriginal Day Chairperson - Alberta Region Heather Poitras. "The partnerships and networking are truly strengthening the Aboriginal community!"
National Aboriginal Day was officially proclaimed in 1996. Since then, the levels of awareness and number of celebrations across Canada have grown significantly. This year's theme for National Aboriginal Day is "Celebrating Diversity."
SilverBirch is one of Canada's leading hotel management companies and currently manages and asset manages 35 hotels and resorts across Canada. The company manages independent hotels and hotels operating under major franchise brands, such as Crowne Plaza, Radisson, Residence Inn by Marriott, Holiday Inn, Hilton, Quality, Gouverneur, Best Western and Ramada. SilverBirch is fully owned by British Columbia Investment Management Corporation ("bcIMC"), a Canadian leader in investment funds management that is based in Victoria, British Columbia (www.bcimc.com).
NOTE TO EDITORS: Photo available upon request.
For more information, please contact:
Lyndsay Hamilton
Director of Sales
Ramada Hotel & Conference Centre
Telephone: (780) 453-7302
lhamilton@silverbirchhotels.com
Heather Poitras
National Aboriginal Day Chairperson, Alberta Region
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
Telephone: (780) 495-6728
poitrash@inac-ainc.gc.ca