The sounds of drums and regalia filled the air for the grass dance at the 16th annual Soaring Spirit Festival And Powwow in Stoney Creek.
People of all ages gathered at the historical Battlefield Museum and Park to celebrate Indigenous People’s Day.
The event was marked first with a sunrise ceremony at 7 a.m. Saturday.
Throughout the day, traditional dance, drumming, and live music marked the event, alongside many vendors who showcased Indigenous arts, crafts, clothing, and more.
One of those vendors was Edd Scorpio, who runs Kinnikinnick Trading Co., a Niagara-based family-run business specializing in smokeless smudge.
“Smokeless smudge is one of my specialties. It’s something I created specifically for people who want to practice their culture and medicines but are in places where they can’t burn things,” he said.
The event will continue until Sunday night when the festival will be wrapped up with a sunset ceremony and traditional Smoke Dance.
READ MORE: National Indigenous Peoples Day observed across Canada