Close X
Saturday, November 30, 2024
ADVT 
National

Parks Canada Removes Fee For Sweat Lodge Ceremony At Manitoba Historic Site

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 02 Jun, 2016 11:41 AM
    SELKIRK, Man. — Parks Canada is removing a fee for a sacred aboriginal ceremony at a historic site north of Winnipeg.
     
    Lower Fort Garry plans to hold three sweat lodges this summer, an ancient ceremony performed by indigenous people in North America.
     
    The sweat lodge is a purification ceremony usually conducted by an elder or someone who has been taught strict spiritual protocols.
     
    Those taking part usually make an offering of tobacco or cloth and it takes place in a covered place that's heated by pouring water over hot stones.
     
    Parks Canada's website said that the ceremony would cost $60 per person.
     
    On Wednesday, the government department said it had re-evaluated and it will now offer the ceremony at no cost.
     
    "The fee was only intended to cover the costs associated with planning and delivering the program," Parks Canada said in a statement.
     
    "However, Parks Canada recognizes that this may have been inappropriate ... In the spirit of reconciliation, Parks Canada will continue to offer this important activity at Lower Fort Garry National Historic Site that provides Canadians with an opportunity to experience and develop a greater understanding of Indigenous cultures and traditions."
     
    Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Grand Chief Derek Nepinak said there is never a charge for an indigenous ceremony.
     
    "Nobody witnessing that should ever think that accessing ceremonies comes with a fee. There's no such thing as a fee associated to ceremonies."

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Elderly Quebec Couple Get Prison Terms For Sexually Abusing Foster Kids

    Elderly Quebec Couple Get Prison Terms For Sexually Abusing Foster Kids
    59-year-old woman cried in a Quebec courtroom on Thursday as she recalled the sexual, psychological and physical abuse she suffered as a child at the hands of her foster parents and their friends.

    Elderly Quebec Couple Get Prison Terms For Sexually Abusing Foster Kids

    Mystery Remains After Arrest In Killing Of Toronto-Born Florida Professor

    Mystery Remains After Arrest In Killing Of Toronto-Born Florida Professor
    But the arrest of 34-year-old Sigfredo Garcia hasn't answered a long line of questions about why Daniel Markel was gunned down in the garage of his Tallahassee home in July 2014.

    Mystery Remains After Arrest In Killing Of Toronto-Born Florida Professor

    Gaunt Calgary Teen Alexandru Radita Was Emaciated In Photos Taken Months Before He Died

    Gaunt Calgary Teen Alexandru Radita Was Emaciated In Photos Taken Months Before He Died
    The trial has been told that Alexandru Radita weighed less than 37 pounds when he died in May 2013.

    Gaunt Calgary Teen Alexandru Radita Was Emaciated In Photos Taken Months Before He Died

    Winnipeg Lawyer Maria Mitousis Easing Back To Work After Losing Hand In Letter Bombing

    Winnipeg Lawyer Maria Mitousis Easing Back To Work After Losing Hand In Letter Bombing
    Maria Mitousis says she continues to recover and hopes to be back at work full-time in the fall.

    Winnipeg Lawyer Maria Mitousis Easing Back To Work After Losing Hand In Letter Bombing

    Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi Apologizes To Ontario Premier Over Alberta Opposition Comments

    Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi has apologized to Ontario's premier for the way she was ridiculed by the Wildrose party's finance critic in the Alberta legislature.

    Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi Apologizes To Ontario Premier Over Alberta Opposition Comments

    Saskatchewan Man Denies Plotting Death Of Spouses With His Mistress

    Saskatchewan Man Denies Plotting Death Of Spouses With His Mistress
    "I love my wife," he told the officers. "I've never, ever thought of it ... I can't even kill a deer. I'm just not built that way."

    Saskatchewan Man Denies Plotting Death Of Spouses With His Mistress