FORT McKAY, AB / Sept 16, 2022 — Fort McKay First Nation (FMFN) is hosting its annual three-day Pow Wow next week beginning Friday, Sept 23.
“It is a pleasure to once again welcome everyone to the Fort McKay Annual Pow Wow,” said FMFN Chief Mel Grandjamb. The fourth annual event is being held after a two-year hiatus due to the global pandemic.
Everyone is welcome to attend the event at Fort McKay First Nation from September 23 to 25. The event is being held outdoors at the Arbor across from the Band Hall. A Grand Entry will take place Friday at 6 p.m., Saturday at both 12 noon and 6 p.m., and on Sunday at 12 noon. There is no admission fee. The celebration includes food, traditional dancing, and music.
“This gathering of our people, family, and friends, is a celebration of our traditions, our dance, our food, and our music,” said Chief Grandjamb. “It honours both our past and our future.”
The annual Pow Wow showcases FMFN’s commitment to important cultural events. “Preserving and honouring our past is a cornerstone for building a strong and sustainable future,” said Grandjamb. “Through celebrations like the Fort McKay Pow Wow, we bring our rich history to life.”
About FMFN
Fort McKay First Nation has nearly 900 band members of Cree and Dene heritage, with approximately 450 living in the on-reserve section of the community of Fort McKay, located 60 kilometres north of Fort McMurray, on the shores of the Athabasca River. In addition to the Fort McKay community, FMFN has reserves 174A at Gardiner (Moose) Lake and 174B at Namur (Buffalo) Lake, approximately 65 kilometres northwest of Fort McKay. Moose Lake is the traditional home of what is now the Fort McKay First Nation.
A signatory to Treaty 8, Fort McKay First Nation’s mission is to assert Treaty rights, revitalize culture and language, promote education, build economic capacity, and support wellness to create opportunities for our Nation’s healthy and sustainable future.
The Nation also manages a business portfolio of 11 entities. Business revenues are invested in infrastructure, programs, services, and directly benefit both the community of Fort McKay and individual band members. Only five to 10 per cent of FMFN’s annual operating budget comes from federal or provincial governments.
For more information about Fort McKay First Nation, visit our website at www.fortmckay.com, or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
For more information, contact:
Fort McKay Communications Department
E-mail: communications@fortmckay.com
[Photo credit: Crystal Mercredi]