June 21, 2012

June 21 is National Aboriginal Day, a day for all Canadians to celebrate the cultures and contributions to Canada of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. The Tobacco Plains National Aboriginal Day takes place in Grasmere and the celebration features dancing, a feast and a traditional horse ride across the US-Canada border.

All ages

National or Local Holiday Festival

The Tobacco Plains Indian Band of the Ktunaxa Nation manages a small reserve located in the southeast corner of BC, near the Canada/USA border crossing of Roosville. The Tobacco Plains Band reserve traces the Canada/USA border to the south and the Koocanusa reservoir system and Baynes Lake to the west, and to Waterton Lakes National Park in the east. The Tobacco Plains has been a critical home territory for the Ktunaxa band for thousands of years. Most of their winter lodges were on the Montana side of the border, but these lands were taken away and now are privately owned.

The villages of Grasmere and Roosville are located on Highway #93 near the Canada/US border.