Indigenous pride will be on display during this year’s Winnipeg Santa Claus Parade with the inclusion of the first indigenous-designed float.
The Southern Chiefs’ Organization has sponsored a float featuring a giant headdress.
Ron Mark, the parade’s executive director, told CTV News it’s the first time the parade has featured an indigenous-designed float.
The eight-foot tall headdress includes enormous feathers hand-painted by 30 First Nations youth. The float was designed by architect David Thomas.
Mezzo soprano Rhonda Head will ride on the float, singing traditional Cree carols as the parade makes its way down Portage Avenue.
A beautiful sample of what's to come later this aft. Rhonda Head singing carols in Cree & English on 1st indigenous designed float. #ctvwpg pic.twitter.com/QPPYdmmvqT
— Beth Macdonell (@BethCTV) November 12, 2016
Horse riders dressed in full regalia will walk alongside the float.
The SCO says the float represents a chance for indigenous people to showcase pride in their culture, youth and communities.
READ MORE: Santa Claus Parade to shut down roads, reroute buses
This is the 107th Winnipeg Santa Claus Parade.
Street closures go into effect starting at 1:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. The parade will start at 5 p.m., beginning on Portage Avenue near the University of Winnipeg and making its way through downtown towards Waterfront Drive before ending near the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.
Organizers putting on final touches of 1st indigenous designed float to take part in Winnipeg's Santa Claus Parade in 107 years. #ctvwpg pic.twitter.com/tyXL1SW3YD
— Beth Macdonell (@BethCTV) November 12, 2016
- With files from Beth Macdonell
