Cochrane to host first annual Indigenous art and culture week

For the first time in Cochrane's history there will be a week dedicated to Indigenous art and culture.

It goes from March 16-23. 

With the celebration comes the grand opening of the Wazin Ichinabi Centre, which has been in the works for just about a year.

The Wazin Ichinabi Centre will be hosting events and promoting the history of the Stoney Nakoda and Cochrane relationship.

"We've engaged with our emerging elder advisory group all of whom are from Stoney Nakoda. At this time and they said that they wanted to see their youth and community talents represented in Cochrane and the surrounding area so we're discussing what a grand opening would look like and in the planning we learned that there were efforts being made to rekindle what was known as the Nakoda Pickin party by the original founders before COVID-19. It was an annual music jam that started in 2003 and it ran for almost two decades and it was formed with the idea of getting communities together through music and one of the most important parts of the jam was the connection that was made between Stoney Nakoda and Cochrane" Executive Director Terrie Batycki.

The centre is important to the Indigenous community in Cochrane due to lack of representation. Batycki added she would love to see an increase in opportunity for Indigenous people and artists to find a space in Cochrane.

Several Cochrane businesses will also be showcasing art and holding events. The centre will be hosting a dinner and dance, tickets for that can be purchased on their website.