Five-day native event to get underway at Halifax Common

History will come to life at Port-Royal National Historic Site on Thursday, June 24, with a moving re-enactment of the baptism of Grand Chief Henri Membertou.

More than a dozen local actors will step back to 1610 and portray the characters of Membertou, his family and the early French settlers the Mi'kmaq befriended and protected.

The 45-minute re-enactment, produced by writer and historian Hal Theriault, will emphasize the enduring friendship established between the Mi'kmaq and French, with narration in Mi'kmaq, French and English.

The re-enactment will begin around noon following a celebratory mass presided over by Archbishop Martin Currie, with Apostolic Nuncio, Pedro Quintana, Bishop Brian Dunn of the diocese of Antigonish, and other Catholic bishops.

"This is a wonderful opportunity for teachers, students and anyone who loves history to experience a rare and beautiful event," said Deborah Ginnish, executive director, Mi'kmaq Association of Cultural Studies. "We invite people of all ages, races and denominations to celebrate an important historic event that shaped the fate of our nation."

Mi'kmaw artisans will demonstrate traditional crafts from four Wigwams and a light lunch, featuring Mi'kmaw recipes, will be served.

The Port-Royal event officially opens a five-day celebration that will move to the Halifax Common, June 25-28, for one of the largest Pow-Wows, or Mawio'mi in Mi'kmaq, in the country. The Halifax event will feature a traditional Mi'kmaw village, cultural demonstrations, native dance and drum competitions, a musical tribute to the Mi'kmaw Nation and free concerts by Buffy Sainte-Marie, Shane Yellowtail and The Relatives.

On June 24, 1610 Grand Chief Membertou, Mi'kmaq shaman and prophet, was the first aboriginal person to be baptized in what would become Canada. In taking the rite of baptism, Membertou influenced the course of history by signaling his desire for peaceful relations with the European nations.

For more information on the Grand Chief Membertou 400 celebrations visit www.Membertou400.com. For more information about Port-Royal National Historic Site of Canada, visit www.parkscanada.gc.ca/portroyal