Indian Festival marks July 1

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It began with an all Native parade down the main street of 1885 at Fort Edmonton Park, to open the Indian Festival on Canada Day, which will run throughout the summer months on the park grounds, a dream come true for the past Minister of Tourism, Horst Schmid.

Beginning on Canada Day, Native participation will now offer to Fort Edmonton visitors, a better understanding of Native people and their traditions and culture.

During July and August Native artifacts, arts and crafts, canoe building, carving and traditional dancing will take place.

According to former Chief and former president of the Indian Association of Alberta, Joe Dion, the dream, idea and eventual reality of the Indian Festival, would not

of come about without the drive of Horst Schmid.

"When this idea was given to me a few weeks ago, I was asked to put something together for the Native Youth."

"It was Chief Flying Eagle (Horst Schmid) who introduced this idea to me and asked me to put a proposal together which I did. But it was his idea, his dream and I believe he wants to see it continue," said Dion to approximately 300 people on hand for the opening ceremonies.

Dion further mentioned that without the help of a number of people, especially

the co-ordinator's Sue and Dave Longaudoc, it would not of happened.,

"I an only take my hat off to Dave and his wife Sue to making this all possible today, commented Dion.

The idea for an Indian Festival at Fort Edmonton Park was proposed to the minister of Manpower, at that time, Ernie Isley. It came from Schmid and during his speech Schmid stated that the 50 positions for Native people's input came from the past Minister.

"I thank Isley for making this festival possible so it could happen on July 1," said Schmid.

Schmid also announced that he was happy to have the Minister of Indian Affairs, Neil Crawford, attend the festival so he could take back to government the importance of the festival.

"When you get people like Joe Dion, Horst Schmid Joe Cardinal and Dave and Sue Longeudoc, working together, we re going to have something worthwhile.

"We must make this continue. We must year after year have the festival and we must make sure that this becomes an established part of the wonderful summers we have in Edmonton and Alberta. I want to pick upon what Horst said. He said that I'm the one that has to take back to government, the importance of the festival. I shall do that," said Crawford.

After the parade people gathered around to watch performances by the White Braid Society Dancers, the Ben Calf Robe Dancers and Drum Group, a great show by Robert Bull, who did the Hoop Dance and a Jingle Dancer from Ontario, Ojibway Native Stephenie Tuesday.

"Without these people this would not be happening. This includes the Native people employed to work here, " said Dave Longeudoc.