Saugeen First Nations celebrate Aboriginal Day,

Chief Randy Kahgee with sister Amanda (next to Chief), daughter Marissa and wife, Aleesa

Saugeen First Nations celebrated Aboriginal Day, June 21st with a full day of activities and events.

It started at 11:00 a.m. at James Mason Centre with games, drummers and a BBQ, where hamburgers and hotdogs were served along with traditional dishes of rabbit and moose meat.

Rapper Chet Singh

Ojibway singer, Helen Roy and her accompanist Steve

A fun-filled evening at the amphitheatre rounded off the day as people came from throughout Saugeen First Nations and Southampton to listen to the music and comedy.  New rapper, Chet Singh was the opening act followed by Ojibway singer, Helen Roy.  Roy performed many well-known songs by artists such as George Jones, Roseanne Cash and John Fogerty, having translated their lyrics into Ojibway.

A very physical comedy

The main act of the evening was well-known aboriginal comedian, Don Burnstick, who brought his unique physical style and quick-witted humour to the event.

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Bursntick at the Ampitheatre

Burnstick, a Cree from the Alexander First Nation located outside Edmonton, Alberta is the youngest of 15 children.  Growing on a reserve, he quickly learned to use a variety of way to defend himself, including his use of humour.

In youth however, his life was often violent as he lived on the streets of Edmonton as an alcoholic and drug addict.  "When I sobered up at 21, I started to ask to go and tell my story."

Burnstick studied holistic urban youth development at the University of San Diego, obtained certification as an Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor and graduated from the Native Trainers Development program at the Nechi Institute in Edmonton.

He has established himself as one of Canada's leading comedians and his highly acclaimed show "You Might be a Redskin - Healing Through Native Humour" humorously portrays First Nations people, their habits, likes and dislikes.  He has been invovled in the healing/personal wellness movement for the past 20 years and has used humour and performance to provide a holistic approach to healing.

Facial expressions a big part of humour

His unabashed, physical humour brings a new openness to the differences and similarities that exist between not only the many aboriginal peoples but also between the First Nations and those who are not

Sally Bragg with son Evan and Jessica as all ages enjoy show