Join in the celebration June 21

By Calvin Daniels Staff Writer

National Indigenous Peoples Day has been marked in Canada for nearly three decades.

Over the years the day has grown as a symbol of change as more and more people have become involved in the June 21 day.

“One thing I see changing most is the number of people who attend,” said Isabel O’Soup Tribal Chief of YTC.

O’Soup said the discovery of unmarked graves at the sites of former residential schools has raised awareness in the non-First Nations community.

“Their eyes have really been opened since the graves have been found,” she said.

While it is unfortunate something as sad as unmarked graves were needed to draw interest from a broader interest, O’Soup said having more people out for celebra- tions like the one set for Yorkton on June 21, will hopefully forge better relationships.

Even within the First Nations community having the situations of the past out in the open people are more willing to talk about the impact of residential schools, and share their stories.

“As hard as it is to listen to the stories we need to share them and listen to them,” said O’Soup.

It comes down to something as simple as recognizing most people graduate from school, but those who attended residential schools are seen as survivors.

Now with survivors finding the courage to tell their stories, it helps others deal with their trauma, and in turn perhaps share their own memories, a process which ripples through First Nations communities.

O’Soup said she feels change is happening –positive change that is reflected in a coming together at events such as the National Indigenous Peoples Day.

“It’s getting there,” she said, adding there are still hurts to overcome and anger to quell, but things are getting better.

“We all hope and pray for that.”

O’Soup said like the holocaust of the Second World War, the injustices of residential schools will never be forgotten. It is part of history.

But, the stigma of the schools does not need to cloud our tomorrow, she added.

“I absolutely believe we can move forward in a more positive way,” she said.

A step in that process is turning out on the 21st and sharing in the celebration at 63 King Street East.

Coming together is a step in understanding.

“The more we congregate the more we learn,” said O’Soup in 2022, a statement which remains just as relevant today.

National Indigenous

Peoples Day is a day recognizing and celebrating the cultures and contributions of the First Nations, Inuit and Métis Indigenous peoples of Canada.

The day was first celebrated in 1996, after it was proclaimed that year by then Governor General of Canada Roméo LeBlanc.

This was the result of consultations and statements of support for such