JESSICA BURTNICK PHOTO

Chinook Lodge Aboriginal Resource Centre is bringing SAIT students the third-annual Taste of Aboriginal Cultures event, which will give attendees the chance to have first-hand experience with Aboriginal culture.

The event will be held at the Chinook Lodge Aboriginal Resource Centre, room NN108 in the Senator Burns building March 26 to 30. It will give students, staff and their families the chance to participate in a fun-filled and informative week.

“It is a week-long celebration of Aboriginal cultures,” said Chinook Lodge student advisor Jennifer Russell.

Throughout the week there will be several events including a chance to view the new CBC series 8th Fire, which according to CBC’s website is 8TH Fire draws from an Anishinaabe prophecy that declares now is the time for Aboriginal peoples and the settler community to come together and build the ’8TH Fire’ of justice and harmony.

A showing of each episode of the four-part series will be played from March 26 to 29. Attendees will also be able to participate in a discussion after viewing each episode.

The viewings will include a brief history of Aboriginal heritage. It will also inform attendees about the on-going rift between the “settlers” population and the Aboriginals over land, and how the Aboriginal community feels they need to build a new relationship with the rest of Canada.

“We hope that participants take away something new about Aboriginal culture, while having fun and making new friendships,” said Russell.

Russell said there will also be a beginner beading workshop on March 28. Participants will learn the basics of beading. On March 30, the festivities will be wrapped up with a feast and round dance in Chinook Lodge.

“I think the event will have some good information about the Aboriginal community,” said third-year refrigeration mechanic Sean Brierly.

Brierly said he would be interested in some of the events being held, and thinks it will help people better understand the Aboriginal cultures and how we can work together, so everyone is happy.

According to Russell, SAIT and the other colleges and universities in Calgary annually celebrate a designated week of Aboriginal culture, to create friendships, understanding and also to have fun.

The Chinook Lodge Aboriginal Student Alliance annually celebrates Aboriginal culture both in March and on National Aboriginal Day, June 21.

For further information about this event, please contact the Chinook Lodge Aboriginal Resource Centre at 403.210.4028.