The National Gathering of Elders, an annual event that takes place in different places throughout the country, is being held in Edmonton this week.

First Nations representing different treaties throughout the country will be at the gathering at the Edmonton EXPO Center throughout the week, and Monday morning's grand entry saw over 4,000 in attendance, both participants and spectators.

The gathering will see lots of storytelling and opportunities for prayer, and there are sweat lodges and Indigenous vendors set up.

Everyone gathered after the grand entry at the National Gathering of Elders. Photo by Ryan Hunt.

Mason Arcand, a spiritual advisor with the Correctional Services of Canada, is a volunteer for the gathering. He said in an interview that the gathering is important because "there's a lot of voices here. As we know in history, our voice was stolen."

"To me, it's a voice for our people. To speak on what's going on for thousands of years, since the beginning of colonization," Arcand added.

Arcand mentioned this is his first National Gathering of Elders and said that it has been a lot of work to make sure the gathering goes off without a hitch.

"Being involved, being in the center, and putting my heart and soul into this, it's a lot of work. There's a lot of volunteers, it's a very important role," Arcand said.

Arcand mentions that this gathering is very important to him, and it goes beyond the physical gathering of people.

"It means everything to me; I truly enjoy seeing our people come together like this. It's empowering for my generation, the younger generation, and the elder generations as well. It's really empowering," Arcand added.

The grand entry of the National Gathering of Elders. Photo by Ryan Hunt.

More information on the National Gathering of Elders can be found here. The event runs from Monday, Oct. 30,through Thursday, Nov. 2.

Listen to the CFWE interview with Mason Arcand below: