Website Officially Launched

Visitors, vendors, volunteers and powwow performers can now log on to www.Membertou400.com for more information on the June 24-27 celebrations marking the 400th anniversary of the baptism of Grand Chief Henri Membertou.

The Membertou 400 site explains how to apply to be a vendor or register as a volunteer and lists powwow prize packages and special hotel rates for the thousands of people expected to attend Atlantic Canada's largest gathering of First Nation people.

The Grand Chief Membertou 400 celebrations begin June 24 at Port Royal National Historic Site with an open-air mass and re-enactment of the historic baptism. The event moves to the Halifax Common June 25-27, for one of the country's largest powwows, or mawio'mi in the mi'kmaw language.

Membertou 400 will feature an authentic Mi'kmaw village where visitors can interact with aboriginal artists and artisans, learn about tradition healing methods, sample native cuisine and hear Mi'kmaq elders share their oral history. Admission is free.

Other highlights include aboriginal dance and drum competitions featuring First Nation performers from across Canada and the Unites States, and a free concert by Canadian icon and Academy Award winner Buffy Sainte Marie.

The Membertou 400 site is also a great resource to learn about Grand Chief Membertou and Mi'kmaq history and culture.

Grand Chief Membertou was a Mi'kmaq shaman and prophet. On June 24, 1610, he became the first aboriginal person in what would become Canada to be baptized, signaling the Mi'kmaw people's desire for peaceful relations with European nations.