Today might be the first day of summer, but it's also a day to celebrate the heritage, cultures, and stories of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people in Canada. 

The annual National Aboriginal Day celebration at Trout Lake began around 9 a.m. this morning, and will continue until 10 p.m tonight.

Not only is the celebration a cultural feast for the eyes, ears, and mouth, it offers Canadians a much-needed opportunity to learn from and engage with indigenous ways of knowing by connecting with indigenous communities, organizations, and individuals.

But more than anything, it's a day for settlers to step the heck out of the way and let indigenous people celebrate their Native pride without our interference.

Hundreds gathered at the family-friendly event over the course of the day to take in colourful dancing, traditional music, tasty food (bannock, anyone?) and awe-inspiring artwork.

While musicians and vendors could be found on one side of the park, the event's first-ever mini pow wow took place on the other, where traditional, grass, chicken, and jingle dancers took to the centre of a large circle and even shared their skill with settler Canadians during a dance-off.

The Straight spent some time snapping photos there this afternoon, and we're looking forward to heading back to catch the rest of the festivities.

Browse through the images below, or better yet, head over to Trout Lake! It's not too late.