On the occasion of its 35^th anniversary and Val-d’Or’s 75^th anniversary festivities, the Friendship Centre wishes to celebrate in a very special way the National Aboriginal Day on Monday, June 21. This year, the formula has been revised and will take the form of a grand outdoor show to which the public is invited free of charge.

The evening will begin with an honour to Gabriel Commanda, recognised as Val-d’Or’s first inhabitant. He opened the trail that later became 3^rd Avenue.  Aboriginal performers from different regions of Québec will entertain the audience with both traditional and contemporary rhythms.  On this summer solstice day, the Friendship Centre’s show will feature, among others:

• Traditional Inuit performers Nina Segalowitz and Lydia Etok, with their wonderful throat songs;
• Madeskimo with his moody and eclectic native-dub-electro beat, reflecting his triple Québécois, Canadian and Inuit identity. He will be accompanied by emcee n3m0 from Nunavut, a rapper singing in Inuktitut and English;
• Twenty-year old Atikamekw Gilbert Niquay from Manawan, who has been performing traditional dances since the age of 12. He is known in the Quebec City area and increasingly throughout the province for his hoop-dancing;
• Hip hop writer-composer-performer Jérémy Kistabish, from Pikogan;
• Innu writer and composer Shauit from Maliotenam will close the show with his dancehall-style reggae songs.

The summer solstice grand outdoor show starts at 8h00 p.m. in the Friendship Centre’s parking lot, at 1272, 7^th Street, in Val-d’Or. For the occasion, spectators are asked to bring their chairs. 

On Wednesday, June 16, à 18h00, at the Forestel, The Friendship Centre will be holding its annual Mëmëgwashi Gala celebrating school perseverance and success of Aboriginal students from primary level to post-secondary. This year, no less than 150 young people registered for the activity. The gala will feature performances by young Aboriginal artists from the region.

A central gathering place and public forum, the Val-d'Or Native Friendship Centre advocates for the individual and collective rights, interests and well-being of the Aboriginal people faced with the reality of an urban environment. Its services cover different development sectors addressing education, culture, community health, recreation, economy and social issues. It is recognised by the community as a bridge builder between peoples.