Photo description:

MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS National Chief Cindy Woodhouse-Mepinak, Assembly of First Nations speaks during the opening presentation. Chiefs arrive for the Roll Call of the Nations to kick off the start of the 30th anniversary of the Sacred Assembly which is being held at the Canad Inns Destination Centre Polo Park January 23-25. In 1995, Elijah Harper organized a national Sacred Assembly in Hull, Quebec. It had a focus on spiritual reconciliation, healing, and justice between First Nations, Inuit, Métis and non-Indigenous peoples. It brought together 3,000 people from across Canadian society--Indigenous leaders, elders, youth, and community representatives, spiritual leaders from various faith traditions and political leaders at federal, provincial, and municipal levels. One of the most tangible outcomes associated with the Sacred Assembly was the momentum it helped generate for National Aboriginal Day (June 21).  260123 - Friday, January 23, 2026.