News Releases

Prairies Region

News Release

Communiqué

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WINNIPEG, MB, August 17, 2005 - The Eighth Annual Chief Big Bear Gathering will take place this Friday, August 19, 2005 on the grounds of two federal correctional facilities, medium-security Stony Mountain Institution and minimum-security Rockwood Institution.

This initiative, in partnership with Aboriginal community groups, was reintroduced as a means for the community and family members to demonstrate support for Aboriginal men (i.e., First Nations, Métis and Inuit) incarcerated in prison. It is also an opportunity to honour Chief Big Bear.

This gathering was first held in 1998 with supporters from the community and aboriginal organisations, with political leaders attending. This event has continued to grow in attendance and recognition each year.

Ceremonial traditional dances, square dance groups, jiggers, contemporary entertainers, and spiritual rituals such as a sunrise ceremony, smudging and sharing circle are all part of the planned activities of the day.

Stony Mountain Institution is a federal institution for medium security inmates located 11 kilometres north of Winnipeg. There are currently 563 inmates in total at the facility. Rockwood Institution is a minimum security federal facility located adjacent to Stony Mountain Institution and has a population of 82 inmates.

Media are invited to attend this event. Date and time: August 19, 2005, from 11:00 to 15:35 p.m.

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For more information, media representatives may contact:

Aimee Fortier
Stony Mountain Institution
(204) 344-5111

or:

Tania Johnston
Rockwood Institution
(204) 344-3444