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NATIONAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY

Regina celebrates National Indigenous Peoples Day June 21

BY PAT REDIGER

Mark June 21 on your calendars for National Indigenous Peoples Day in Regina. It’s a chance for all Canadians to recognize and celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples in the country.

The City of Regina has been one of the driving forces behind the activities. Robin Allin, chair of the Aboriginal City Employees, invites everyone to Victoria Park to experience Indigenous culture with festivities starting at 10 a.m. with a grand entry followed by greetings from various dignitaries, and then traditional dances, Métis jigging and other activities.

The event will also feature students from Thomson School teaching jigging, world-renown First Nations and Métis dancers, and displays including a police vehicle, fire truck and city bus.

“We are bringing in a Red River cart, which is important to the Métis people, and is basically a two-wheeled wagon to get around,” explained Allin. “One of the cool things about them was that they never had nails, so these things

were put together like a puzzle. If a piece broke while you were out in the prairies, you could always find a tree, carve out a new piece and you could fix it yourself.”

This event will also include a kids’ area, refreshments including popcorn and bannock, barbecue, Inuit thumb games, and plenty of fun. It will wrap up between 1:30 and 2 p.m.

Regina Public Library (RPL) has celebrations planned at City Square Plaza from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Participants will come together to experience Indigenous culture, music and dance. Activities will include a tipi-raising ceremony, performances by Métis jiggers, and First Nation dancers, drummers and singers.

Children will meet Indigenous artists and instructors, and learn how to write their names in Cree Syllabics on wooden bookmarks and how to design clothing or regalia.

They will also learn about Indigenous culture from Elder Hazel Dixon as she tells Indigenous stories and legends.

“It’s great to come together with other organizations and businesses to celebrate this important day. At RPL we believe that learning about other cultures deeply enriches the

A grand entry march at 10 a.m. begins the celebration of National Indigenous Peoples Day in Victoria Park.

PHOTO: CITY OF

R E G I NA

community, and this event is a great opportunity to experience Indigenous culture.

Indigenous peoples come together that day in a spirit of celebration to share Indigenous culture with the rest of the community,” said Wendy Sinclair, Indigenous Services Advisor at RPL. The library also creates opportunities for the commu-

nity to learn about and connect with Indigenous culture through programs led by its Kokum-in-Residence, Brenda Dubois, who is a mother and grandmother (kokum) from Muscowpetung First Nation.

Throughout the summer she will be sharing her knowledge on traditional teachings and provide cultural and spiritual guidance.

Government House is also paying tribute to Indigenous peoples on that day. Monique Goffinet-Miller, the Chief Executive Officer of the Provincial Capital Commission, said there will a special tobacco plant planting ceremony to commemorate the day.

“These tobacco seeds were given to Queen Elizabeth II and they have been grown

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in the Wascana Greenhouse for the last few months,” she said. “The plants will be taken to Government House and planted in the gardens so everyone can see what they look like in their natural form.”

The planting ceremony will begin at 1:30 p.m. and will feature a blessing by an Elder as well as representatives from the Province of Saskatchewan,

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NATIONAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY

National Indigenous Peoples Day is an opportunity for everyone in the community to come together and experience First Nation, Métis and Inuit culture. First Nations dances will be a highlight of the day. P H O T O : C I T Y O F R E G I NA

celebrate the contributions that Indigenous people have made to the development of culture in our community.

“What better path to choose for reconciliation and getting to know one another,” she asks. “I invite people to come and experience the culture and watch the community come together. Everyone is welcome to attend so bring a blanket or lawn chair!”

The Circle Project celebrations begin with the grand entry at 3 p.m. in Grassick Park (between 3rd and 4th Dancers will demonstrate traditional Métis jigging on stage at Victoria Park. Jigging is a creative blend of European and Indian heritage; Métis fiddle music sets the tempo for the distinctive reels and waltzes.

P H O T O : C I T Y O F R E G I NA

Government House, and Treaty 4 Territory. After the ceremony, everyone will be invited to attend afternoon tea in the ballroom.

The reception will feature tea, coffee, juice and light refreshments and will conclude at 3:30 p.m. There is no

A Red River cart will be on display in Victoria Park.

These two-wheeled wooden wagons were originally used by Métis settlers to bring meat from the buffalo hunt. Later, they were used to transport trade goods and furs. P H O T O : C I T Y O F R E G I NA

charge to attend. “We feel it is part of our mandate at Government House to create opportunities like this to increase dialogue between people and encourage diversity and inclusion,” said Goffinet-Miller.

The Circle Project along with

community partners ICF and REACH have been celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day for 22 consecutive years, which makes it the longest-running event in the city.

Ann Perry, executive director of Circle Project, said it’s important to

The Circle Project Assoc. Inc. “Serving the community for over 30 years”

On National Indigenous People’s Day we celebrate the accomplishments and success of Indigenous people in our community.

We encourage people to help themselves through…

Happy National Indigenous Peoples Day!

• Family Violence Program • Healthy Lifestyles/Relationship Counselling • Personal Development/Stabilization Services • Children’s Centre • Infant and Toddler Centre • Cultural Connections for Kids 2nd Floor, 1102 8th Avenue, Regina, SK S4R 1C9 Telephone: (306) 347-7515 Fax: (306) 347-7519

www.circleproject.ca

Children’s Centre - (306) 569-3988 Infant/Toddler Centre - (306) 949-4911

“bridging the gaps in our community”

Be yourself and soar with us Your individuality is an asset Be distinct. Be original. Be yourself.

National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21. fcc.ca/Careers

Avenue) featuring Elders and other special dignitaries. The event continues until 9 p.m. with Indigenous dancing and storytelling, tipi, barbecue, face painting, family photos, and much more. There will also be Métis jigging and traditional games demonstrations such as lacrosse.

“We’re bringing back by popular demand the Indigenous Battle of the Bands,” explained Perry. “It’s a contest where bands have to register in advance and we can see some young talented people in our city showcase their talent.”

CELEBRATE NATIONAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY

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NATIONAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY Annual Rock Your Roots Walk a healing journey

BY PATRICIA DAWN ROBERT SON

Seven years ago, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission delivered its findings to the people of Canada. Justice Murray Sinclair – now a Manitoba Senator – chaired the Commission.

The Commission’s findings, presented as 94 Calls to Action, inspired reconciliation walks throughout the country in cities like Vancouver, Edmonton and Winnipeg.

The Calls to Action also sparked a grassroots, localized response in Saskatoon. In 2016, the first public walk was held and a popular annual tradition was born. Organizers called it the Rock Your Roots Walk for Reconciliation.

The 2019 Rock Your Roots walk takes place on June 21 at Victoria Park in Saskatoon. This year’s theme: “Re-Igniting the Fire” is an opportunity for community members to show up and join the public conversation about reconciliation.

At its root, reconciliation is about Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians working together to create a new, shared future based on a number of key criteria: reconciliation entails a shared understanding of Canada’s history; reconciliation is based on authentic relationships; it requires strong thriving cultures and social and economic systems that represent every citizen.

Reconciliation Saskatoon heeded the Commission’s Calls to Action. It’s an umbrella organization that includes 98 organizations, non-profits, businesses, faith communities and partners who have assembled to initiate a citywide conversation about reconciliation.

Reconciliation was not always a friendly word, says activist Neal Kewistep. “The question is how can we be different and how can we improve?” he adds.

In his former role as interim director of the Population and Public Health (PPH) in the Saskatoon Health Authority (SHA), Kewistep acted as strategic lead for cultural competency for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Kewistep is now the executive in residence at the

We must celebrate the differences versus being scared of the differences.

We all have different stories.

- NEAL KEWISTEP

Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy.

As a former student of the residential school system, the Indigenous health policy analyst brings his own story to the Rock Your Roots walk.

“We must celebrate the differences versus being scared of the differences,” says Kewistep. “We all have different stories.”

The annual event has forged many strong circles, alliances and friendships says Kewistep. Its central mission – as a public event where individuals can take up the Calls to Action – has been a resounding success.

It’s important for residential school survivors to continue the open dialogue, says Kewistep. “You have to release your burdens in order to heal. I watched my own father – who is a giant in my eyes – go through the process.

“To share your truth is to release your pain. The more we share this experience, the more support we gather.

It’s a good coping strategy to connect with other families.

You are not alone,” he says.

The message Kewistep wants to convey about his and others’ grieving their residential school trauma is that the painful process can be surmounted. The healing journey can lead to renewal, hope and optimism. “We made it!” he adds.

It’s unusual for a public commission to instigate such an animated response to a report. The urgent need for reconciliation has provided the momentum and inspiration for the grassroots movement.

“Reconciliation Saskatoon is where we hold that space for individual stories,” says

Community leaders led the way at last year’s Rock Your Roots Walk for Reconciliation. Pictured (left to right): Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark, Shirley Isbister, Saskatoon Tribal Council Chief Mark Arcand, Saskatoon Police Chief Troy Cooper and Saskatoon Fire Chief Morgan Hackl. P H O T O : J E F F LYO NS

Kewistep.

Reconciliation is a unique journey. Carrie Catherine has been on this path since the inception of the walk four years ago.

Carrie Catherine is a project manager with the reconciliation network Be a ConnectR (beaconnectr.com) and an active member of Reconciliation Saskatoon. She sees the role of the Rock Your Roots Walk for Reconciliation as the ideal vehicle for individuals, like her, to participate directly and enact their own Call to Action.

“Even the whole exercise of our committee organizing the walk has been an exercise in reconciliation.

We worked together on the event and that prompted some good lessons,” says the Riversdale resident. “That first year, thousands of people gathered at the walk. It made a big impact.”

The event puts a face to the “other” says Carrie Catherine. “We get the opportunity to show up, see each other and walk together.”

This year’s theme, “Reigniting the Fire” serves as a reminder not to become complacent about the work of reconciliation. You can’t delegate reconciliation and it’s not a one-day process.

The Cultural Advisors and Elders who consult with event organizers wanted to ensure that the walk remains a dynamic place of renewed engagement where the movement can continue

to act as a crucial vehicle for a city-wide conversation.

“Our mission is for people to show up and share. It’s important for people to build relationships outside of their personal networks. It takes effort to leave your private space – but when you do – you’ll make new connections. Everyone is welcome to walk.”

The June 21st event is off to an early start with a 7 a.m.

Pipe Ceremony at Saskatoon’s Victoria Park (Avenue F & Spadina). A Grand Entry is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. and the Rock Your Roots Reconciliation Walk gets underway at 9:30 a.m. At noon, a public soup and bannock lunch will be served followed by entertainment and family activities.

The 2019 Rock Your Roots Walk for Reconciliation begins tomorrow at 7 a.m. with a Pipe Ceremony at Saskatoon’s Victoria Park (Avenue F & Spadina). A Grand Entry is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. and the walk gets underway at 9:30 a.m.

P H O T O : J E F F LYO NS

PROUD TO CELEBRATE THE PEOPLE OF TURTLE ISLAND. Happy National Indigenous Peoples Day from everyone at K+S Potash Canada.

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NATIONAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY Museum honours National Indigenous History Month

BY JES SE GREEN

Wi sa ke cahk, the Cree Trickster, welcomes visitors to the First Nations Gallery at the Royal Saskatchewan Museum in Regina, Sk. The alabaster and bronze sculpture was created by Cree artist Lloyd Pinay and it has stood guard over the exhibit for a quarter century.

Although this curious prankster is known by many different names, ignoring social order is his specialty. Stories have been passed down from generation to generation, both to entertain and to keep traditional knowledge alive.

While June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day, the Royal Saskatchewan Museum has been commemorating and celebrating National Indigenous History all month. And, indeed, with their extensive First Nations Gallery, the museum honours our Indigenous history every day of the year.

Opening prayers will begin the celebrations on June 21 and drop-in programs and exhibits will be available throughout the day. The Regina and Saskatchewan Archaeological Societies will be on hand with activities and the chance to throw a traditional hunting tool that dates back 3,000 years.

The ingenuity and creativity of the First Peoples will be on display at the Tools and Technology exhibit. Move over Ray Bans – the original sunglasses were made from bone and wood. These goggles were made as protection against the glare from the winter snow.

S’well water bottle, meet the

The Royal Saskatchewan Museum invites visitors to learn about and experience First Nations history and culture. On June 21, the Regina and Saskatchewan Archaeological Societies will be on site with special exhibits and programs. Among the activities is the chance to throw a traditional hunting tool dating back 3,000 years. P H O T O : ROYA L SA S K AT C H E WA N M U S E U M / SA S K AWA N D E R E R

Cree artist Lloyd Pinay created the alabaster and bronze sculpture that welcomes visitors to the Royal Saskatchewan Museum’s First Nations Gallery. P H O T O : ROYA L SA S K AT C H E WA N MUSEUM

bladder bag. The Indigenous people created vessels for water from animal parts. Tools, arrowheads and other early technology will be on display.

Alberta-rose Bear is from the George Gordon First Nation and was first involved with the Royal Saskatchewan Museum as a summer student.

She learned to bead when she was a young girl, and earlier this month she led a beading workshop where participants beaded earrings or a keychain.

The workshop formed part of the celebrations around National Indigenous History

Month and participants were also treated to a presentation by the museum’s Aboriginal Studies curator, Dr. Evelyn Siegfried.

Earlier this month, the museum hosted a KAIROS Blanket Exercise. This is a culturally significant experience that aims to foster truth, understanding, respect and reconciliation. Participants walk on blankets that represent the land while working through 500 years of history including pre-contact, treatymaking, colonization and resistance. Chances for the gen-

eral public to participate in a Blanket Exercise are few, so the Royal Saskatchewan Museum’s workshop was significant as a sharing experience.

The exercise was developed in response to a 1996 report produced by the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples.

It was developed with Indigenous Elders, knowledge keepers and educators.

Whether visiting for an event or just a regular day, a visit to the First Nations Gallery is sure to inform and entertain. Did you know that the Chief Paskwa Pictograph is

the only known document in Canada showing the terms of a treaty from an Indigenous perspective? See the rare document in the ‘We Are All Treaty People’ exhibit.

Did you know that the 70 First Nations in Saskatchewan include many different linguistic groups? Some of them are Dene, Dakota, Saulteaux, Cree, Michif and Nakota. Wi sa ke cahk (the Trickster) is known by different names by each of these linguistic groups; some of them are Inktome, Nanabush and Old Man Coyote.

Today, the tipi is a symbol of the First Nations people. Ancient tipi rings lay as markers of the long ago camps. But, did you know that each part of the traditional tipi holds meaning? Principles of sharing, respect, humility, faith, representations of the earth and sky are symbolized by the tipi’s poles and cover and are at the roots of living in harmony.

The Royal Saskatchewan Museum features three galleries: the First Nations Gallery, the Life Sciences Gallery and the Earth Sciences Gallery. The newest addition to the museum is a behemoth Tyrannosaurus rex. Scotty is the world’s largest T.rex and she was found in the Frenchman River Valley in 1991. Today a replica statue of Scotty graces the museum as the star of the two-tiered viewing area at the entrance to the Earth Sciences Gallery. When the exhibit was unveiled, more than 9,000 people visited the museum over the Victoria Day weekend. The Royal Saskatchewan Museum also has a location in Eastend, near where Scotty’s remains were first found.

For information on both branches of the museum and a full schedule of events for National Indigenous Peoples Day, visit their website at royalsaskmuseum.ca.

Visit Casino Regina for a full afternoon of free activities to celebrate Canada’s Indigenous heritage and culture.

12pm–6pm • Indigenous arts & crafts fair 1pm • Bullet soup and bannock* 2:15pm • Powwow procession starts at the Last Spike and ends at the Show Lounge 2:30pm • Powwow dance performance featuring Charging Bear 3:15pm • Traditional games session featuring Dustin Brass 4pm • Bullet soup and bannock* 4pm • Métis fiddle and dance featuring Dallas and Phil Boyer, and the Creeland Dancers 4:45pm • Flute performance featuring Bronson Haywahe

miyo wahkohtowin Situated on Treaty 4 and Treaty 6 territories, and the Homeland of the Métis people, Sask Polytech is committed to good relationships— miyo wahkohtowin—with our Indigenous communities.

Indigenous students make up 19 per cent of our student population and this proportion is growing steadily each year. Indigenous students and employees are an important part of our community.

saskpolytech.ca/indigenous

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NATIONAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY A DOORWAY TO CULTURE:

Preservation of Indigenous ponies part of cultural reclamation Systemic oppression of Indigenous cultures through historical and ongoing forms of colonization has impacted generations of Indigenous peoples.

Reconnecting with cultural and traditional ways of knowing and being is increasingly seen as a significant part of the healing and learning process.

One important focus of cultural preservation and reclamation has been language revitalization, but a relatively new and less understood approach to learning and healing is Equine-Assisted Learning (EAL). Many Indigenous peoples from various Nations have long viewed horses as healers and as teachers of cultural knowledge. The preservation of the critically endangered Lac La Croix Indigenous Ponies is part of the process of cultural reclamation and preservation, and thus healing and learning, as relations between Indigenous horses and peoples are re-established.

Dr. Angela McGinnis, an Indigenous Métis health researcher and assistant professor of educational psychology in the University of Regina’s Faculty of Education, along with her Métis graduate student Kelsey Moore, are conducting research to better understand how and why Indigenous youth benefit from working with Indigenous horses, specifically seven Lac La Croix Indigenous Ponies.

The ponies, located at The Red Pony Stands® Ojibwe Horse Sanctuary, are cared for by McGinnis and her partner Cullan McGinnis, who is Ojibwe. Together they own and operate the not-for-profit organization.

The couple and the Lac La Croix Indigenous Ponies originate from the Treaty 3 Territory in Northwestern Ontario.

According to the sanctuary’s website, traditional Elders and Knowledge Keepers say that the critically endangered Lac La Croix Indigenous Pony breed’s origins precede the 1800s; they were in the area prior to colonial contact.

Reconnecting with her cultural identity has been the focus of McGinnis’ education and healing, and cultural connectedness was a central concept in her doctoral research

Mishkwiingwese (She Blushes), graduate student Kelsey Moore, Zhiishigwan, and Dr. Angela McGinnis at The Red Pony Stands® entrance sign, which commemorates the four grandmother mares from which the Lac La Croix Indigenous Ponies descend. The seven ponies who reside at the sanctuary, located near Saskatchewan’s Qu’Appelle valley, contain the two original bloodlines, the Keokuk and Nimkii lines. Their lineages date back to the four original mares from Lac La Croix First Nation and Bois Forte Band of Chippewa who were the last remaining in the world (Lilian, Biizhiki, Diamond, and Dark Face) and strategically bred to a Spanish mustang stallion named Smokey in 1977 to save the breed from extinction. P H O T O BY S H UA NA N I E S S E N

in clinical psychology. At that time, she developed a measure to determine the extent to which cultural connectedness is associated with holistic health and well-being among First Nations youth. Her findings indicated that cultural connectedness is a positive predictor of mental health.

This is critical information because “the mental health and well-being of youth is one of the most urgent concerns affecting many First Nations communities across Canada,” explains McGinnis.

This is why she views her work in educational psychology and her research as “a perfect fit.”

“You can’t have healing without learning, or learning without healing.”

Since completing her doctoral research, McGinnis has been seeking to understand how cultural connectedness can be developed through real-world experiences, which include strengthened relationships with the land and all its more-than-human creatures, particularly the Lac La Croix Indigenous Ponies.

Broadening health research to include the more-thanhuman world is important to McGinnis because, she says, “We need to situate well-be-

ing within a larger network of social relations, with both the human and more-thanhuman worlds. I understand Western mental health perspectives, but my work also requires an understanding of Indigenous perspectives of holistic wellness to fully understand the role of the ponies in the resilience process.”

McGinnis now wants to share these kinds of experiences with her educational psychology students. “I want to help students step through that cultural doorway. That’s how we understand how to help others, by experiencing it ourselves,” says McGinnis.

Moore is one of McGinnis’ master’s students and her lifelong passion for horses began over several summers working with youth at horse camps and riding stables.

McGinnis and Moore both want to understand and offer evidence-based research to better explain the educational and holistic health outcomes when Indigenous youth establish relationships with horses.

Together they are working towards the same ends as those involved in language revitalization. “We are all tackling a shared goal: cultural preservation,” says McGinnis.

THIS STORYWAS SUBMITTED BYTHE UNIVERSITYOFREGINAFORAWARENESS PURPOSES.

McGinnis says the mere presence of the endangered Lac La Croix Indigenous Ponies is a counter-narrative to the colonial history of the horse. “The interaction with Indigenous horses gives Indigenous youth opportunities to connect with horses who have a shared history of resilience and strength, like their own, that they can identify with. It’s a culturally-specific story,” she says.

McGinnis’ work highlights how Indigenous communities can strengthen the horsehuman relationships as a way to connect with culture,

The three Lac La Croix Indigenous Ponies from Nigigoonsiminikaaning First Nation gather around Cullan (Waabinaanikwad) McGinnis during their first meeting. P H O T O BY A NG E L A M C G I N N I S

strengthen positive relationships, and learn through activities with horses and nature.

Read about this research and more at University of Regina’s discoursemagazine.ca.

TRUTH, RECONCILIATION & INDIGENOUS LITERATURES Educators across Canada are working hard to tackle the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action. They must forge ahead despite the growing but still insufficient resources to do so.

Dr. Michelle Coupal, Canada Research Chair in Truth, Reconciliation & Indigenous Literatures, is working to provide educators with theories and practical strategies for bringing Indigenous literatures into classrooms in respectful and ethical ways.

“Part of the reckoning in the path toward reconciliation involves establishing connections through the stories that Indigenous writers tell. Education is the key to restoring nation-to-nation relationships in Canada.”

To read more about University of Regina research, please visit discoursemagazine.ca.

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NATIONAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY

SIGA casinos across the province join in the celebration

BY RYAN HALL

Coinciding with the summer solstice, National Indigenous Peoples Day is a time to recognize the cultures and contributions of the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Indigenous peoples of Canada.

Once again, the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA) is proud to be part of the celebrations taking place across the province on June 21.

SIGA has a long history of supporting this important day since it was first established in 1996.

As a First Nations organization, and one of the largest employers of First Nations people in Canada, SIGA has a natural connection to the event. “We’ve always endeavored to be involved, one way or another, as one of our goals is to instill pride in our, and our province’s, First Nations heritage and culture,” says Melody Lynch, director of communications for SIGA. SIGA’s commitment to First Nations people goes beyond the celebration. It includes a mandate to create opportunities via employment, support economic development through the gaming industry, and to maximize earnings for First Nations people. All of this is done by following the guiding principle Miskâsowin, which signifies the value of finding one’s sense of origin and belonging, and to do so in a positive way.

One method to accomplish this is by supporting and organizing cultural activities, such as those taking place on National Indigenous Peoples Day, which celebrate the rich diversity and important contributions of First Nations communities.

Among them is the fourth annual Rock Your Roots Walk for Reconciliation, which takes place beginning at 9:30 a.m. in Saskatoon’s Victoria Park. This event has drawn nearly 5,000 people and raised awareness of the strength and resilience of residential school and day school survivors, missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, and Sixties scoop survivors. The theme this year is “Re-igniting the Fire,” a reminder that everyone must commit to keeping the fire of change burning.

SIGA also hosts a variety of celebrations at their casino locations across the province. While each casino has their own programming, they all share the same goal of incorporating traditional cultural elements into the event. Even better, every activity is designed to encourage guests to join in the fun. “From fish fries,

At its seven locations across Saskatchewan, SIGA Casinos will join in celebrating National Indigenous Peoples Day with events that reflect the organization’s pride in First Nations heritage and culture. P H O T O : S I G A

“From fish fries, to multiple promotions and giveaways, to First Nation dancers and bands, there will be a number of activities going on that visitors can take part in,” says Melody Lynch, communications director for SIGA. PHOTO: SIGA

to multiple promotions and giveaways, to First Nation dancers and bands, there will be a number of activities going on that visitors can take part in,” says Lynch.

While there are too many events to list, some of the highlights planned for this year’s celebration include the Painted Hand Casino in Yorkton hosting a free concert featuring The Outlaws.

Golden Eagle Casino in North

National Indigenous Peoples Day Canada celebrates National Indigenous History Month and National Indigenous Peoples Day to recognize the historic and current contributions of Indigenous Peoples to the development of Canada and work toward a shared prosperous and harmonious future.

Battleford will be serving a free stew and bannock lunch for all Players Club members between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

The Swift Current Living Sky Casino will be having hourly hot seat draws from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. with winners receiving a native northwest water bottle featuring artwork designed by an Indigenous artist.

The newly opened Golden Horse Casino in Lloydminster will be hosting hot seat draws throughout the day, a fish fry in the parking lot during the afternoon ($9.95 per person), and a fresh bannock round to the first 100 people. Music will be provided by The High Limit Band from Onion Lake.

For a complete list of National Indigenous People’s Day events planned at each SIGA casino location, visit siga.sk.ca.

Mark Docherty, MLA Regina Coronation Park

Ryan Meili and your Saskatchewan NDP Caucus Team

are proud to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples’ Day!

“We are all Treaty People” markdochertymla@sasktel.net

Putting People First caucus@ndpcaucus.sk.ca

(306) 787-7388

The Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan (MCoS) acknowledges the harms of our shared colonial past.

We are all treaty people. All of us have a role to move forward in the spirit of reconciliation and can take action on the TRC’s 94 Calls to Action.

Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan

From Many Peoples Strength

mcos.ca

The Canadian Mental Health Association FUNDING PROVIDED BY

(Saskatchewan Division) Inc. Recognizes Images from: Wanuskewin Heritage Park and Swift Current Online.

and celebrates the unique heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding contributions

Helping Build Brighter Futures

First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples have made to our communities as we celebrate.

National Indigenous Peoples Day.

Saskatchewan Urban Native Teacher Education Program

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NATIONAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY New CEO guides Wanuskewin Heritage Park’s renewal

BY D. GRANT BLACK

When Darlene Brander was appointed as chief executive officer (CEO) of Wanuskewin Heritage Park on March 4, she was slipping comfortably back into a familiar organization. Brander was the Aboriginal awareness coordinator at Wanuskewin almost 20 years ago (1998–2000).

Wanuskewin, located 15 minutes north of downtown Saskatoon, was created in 1997 to celebrate the history of the land and the Northern Plains Indigenous peoples people who lived and thrived here for over 6,000 years. The 145-hectare heritage park of scenic trails, interpretive sites and archaeological digs is now in several phases of renewal.

“The first pillar of our four pillars is infrastructure rejuvenation, which is an ambitious renewal that involves construction on the site that will expand Wanuskewin,” says Brander.

“We hope to see the construction projects finished in 2020. Then we’ll reveal the improvements to the public as each section is completed.”

Brander says that the Interpretive Centre and gallery spaces will be significantly larger in size by completion in 2020. When completed, the 279-square-metre Interpretive Centre will include the visitor centre offices and space for school kids to put their personal items when they visit Wanuskewin. The gift shop will be moved from one side of the hallway to the other side of the hallway; a secondary gallery will be located in its place.

“It’s going to be quite the renovation. It’s very exciting. Once we’re done, we’re looking forward to be able to reveal the new face of Wanuskewin while the bones remain the same.”

Brander, a member of Red Earth Cree Nation, grew up on a farm near

When Wanuskewin earns the UNESCO World Heritage Site designation in 2022, we’ll be able to march successfully along that path to the inscription.

This rendering portrays the completed renewal and expansion of Wanuskewin Heritage Park. In addition to expanding the Interpretive Centre and gallery spaces, a bison herd will be introduced to the site in 2020.

- DARLENE BRANDER, C E O , WA N U S K E W I N

SUPPLIED PHOTO

H E R I TA G E PA R K

Carrot River. She moved to Saskatoon to attend Saskatchewan Indian Federated College (now First Nations University of Canada) for the Native Studies program. She eventually decided to change programs, earned a Bachelor of Education at the University of Saskatchewan then taught at a Meadow Lake school for several years.

Brander says that Wanuskewin may be in construction mode but it’s still open to the public.

“We’ll still offer robust public programming throughout the summer and throughout the year. We still encourage visitors to see the progress in-play. What you may see one day you might not see the week after because the construction rate is going on so fast.”

Brander says that there are other attractions to look forward to at Wanuskewin, such as the introduction of a bison herd in 2020.

“We want to welcome the bison back to their ancestral homeland

The new CEO of Wanuskewin Heritage Park, Darlene Brander is excited to honour Wanuskewin’s past, thrive in the present and realize its future. P O S T M E D I A F I L E PHOTO

within the year. Wanuskewin is working with Parks Canada where the animals will either come from Grasslands or Elk Island National Parks,” says Brander. “We hope to start with a smaller herd and that herd will eventually grow to a bigger herd over the next decade.”

As the new CEO, Brander has a vision for Wanuskewin.

“When I applied for the position, I wanted to honour Wanuskewin’s past, thrive in the present then realize its future,” says Brander. “To honour its past, I want to ensure that Wanuskewin is a centre of excellence through education, through a sharing of ceremony, through the gathering of peoples and sharing that knowledge throughout our exhibits, programming and curricu-

lum that we produce for the teachers that bring their students to our park.”

She says that honouring the past is combined with thriving in the present. “I get to work with this amazing, engaged and fantastic staff. When Wanuskewin earns the UNESCO World Heritage Site designation in 2022, we’ll be able to march successfully along that path to the inscription.”

As one of the strategies to compensate for the construction this summer, Brander says that they’ve created outreach programs to take the Wanuskewin experience to the public outside of the park.

A special event in the evening that’s worth the drive is the Han Wi Moon Dinner (8 p.m.–11 p.m. on July 25, August 8, September 12). Han Wi is ‘moon’ in the Dakota language.

The special event starts with a 45-minute guided tour with senior staff to learn about the culture, history, and science of Wanuskewin then a memorable meal prepared by Kirk Borchardt, Wanuskewin’s exec-

Our past, present and future Contributions from Indigenous students, faculty and staff have shaped the University of Saskatchewan for generations, and our relationships and partnerships with Indigenous communities continue to form our path forward. Indigenization, and embracing different ways of knowing, is woven throughout the fabric of our University Plan: nīkānītān manācihitowinihk | ni manachīhitoonaan (The University the World Needs).

Our plan sets forth our intention to prioritize transformative decolonization leading to reconciliation, and sets the stage for all of us to make tangible progress toward a brighter future, enriched by a deeper understanding of our shared history and present opportunities.

Visit plan.usask.ca to read more.

utive chef, and Chef Jenni Schrenk.

The three-course meal features bison tenderloin and many seasonal delights foraged from the valley below that include wild berries, mushrooms and sunchokes. The evening ends with ancient star stories from a Dakota Star Story Teller.

“The Han Wi Moon Dinner is an immersive culinary experience that connects people with the Wanuskewin land and the story of Wanuskewin,” says Brander. “We’ll hold Han Wi dinners every month until September.”

For National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21, Wanuskewin will offer free admission to a day packed with everything from traditional games and a bannock bake to wagon rides and puppet shows for the kids.

Evening entertainment under the stars includes a local band, The Rebels, and Don Burnstick, a Cree comedian from near Edmonton.

For more information on Wanuskewin Heritage Park and special events this summer, visit wanuskewin.com

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