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People wait in line for fish and bannock at Aboriginal Day celebrations at the Somba K'e Civic Plaza in 2011. - NNSL file photo

SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Aboriginal fishers have been stockpiling whitefish since the ice went out a few weeks ago in preparation for Aboriginal Day today at Somba K'e Park.

Joanne Taylor, an organizer with the North Slave Metis Alliance, said its celebration will be in Somba K'e Park from 12 to 5 p.m. Free whitefish, corn and beans will be served along with performances from Metis Dancers, Dene Drummers and other aboriginal musicians.

Taylor expects 5,000 to 7,000 people to attend. They gauge attendance based on how many fish servings they gave out last year - three pieces per dish.

But Taylor is worried there might not be enough people to help out today.

"There's not quite enough volunteers. You can always use more."

Taylor said she has approximately 61 volunteers for today, along with 12 staff from the North Slave Metis Alliance.

Volunteers and staff will have a long day of frying, serving and cooking starting at 6 a.m. to set up and continuing well into the evening.

The celebration is funded through sponsors such as Heritage Canada, De Beers Canada and the RCMP. The RCMP will be organizing a teepee-building contest, with teams made up of local businesses, police and Metis.

The celebration will also include individual booths selling jewelry, birch baskets, beaded hide dresses and much more.

Wiliideh site:

Yellowknives Dene First Nation

The Yellowknives Dene First Nation will start its celebration at 4 p.m. with the Feeding of the Fire ceremony at the Wiliideh site on the Yellowknife River.

There will be an all-day fish fry along with canoe rides arts and crafts and workshops.

Games for children, youth and adults are also on the bill starting at 6 p.m.

Games:

Adults (15 and up)

• Duck plucking
• Tea boiling
• Canoe races

• Tug of war
• Leg wrestling
• Canoe races

• Log carrying
• Three-legged race

A handgames demonstration will take place at 8 p.m. and the event will conclude with a drum dance at 9 p.m.

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