Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations will be marked by dance, signing

Battle River Treaty 6 Health Centre Inc. will host a free pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and other activities in the parking lot at 12 Ave. and 102 St. In case of rain, the events will be moved to the Agriplex building on the North Battleford Fair Grounds.

At 10 a.m., the City of North Battleford will take part in a special signing ceremony event at the site.

Other activities taking place at this location include live entertainment featuring traditional dance, the band Boss of Three, kids’ activities and an elders’ tent.

The Gold Eagle Casino will celebrate the day with a special offer for Player Club members. Those who show their member card will be able to enjoy a complimentary stew and bannock lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Fort Battleford National Historic Site will recognize National Indigenous Peoples Day with a variety of activities from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Poundmaker Cree Nation is organizing the event.

Elder Bryan Tootoosis from Poundmaker First Nation is serving as liaison and involved in making the plans.

“Promoting our culture, identity and langauge in the Battlefords, I think is important,” he said of the value of Indigenous Peoples Day.

The day will start with a pipe ceremony at 8 a.m.

From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., people can attend storytelling presentations. They can also take in Métis fiddle music and jigging demonstrations, as well as powwow dancing. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. events includes kids’ activities including tattoo-making, button-making and a variety of games.

From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. attendees can take part in horse-drawn wagon rides. From 11:30 a.m.to 2 p.m. they can enjoy a free barbecue lunch.

At 1 p.m. organizers plan to have a flag-raising ceremony, with 12 new flags being erected to reflect First Nation communities in the area.

“All the flags will fly up at the fort from now on,” said Tootoosis.

Plans are to also have new interpretive panels installed reflecting the history of the site dating back to 1885, and to recognize the Indigenous lives that were lost there.

From 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. several guest speakers will give presentations relating the history of the area and the fort.

Tootoosis said the initiative will help “tell the truth to all Canadians, in sharing our history.”

“We’re trying to co-exist and have a good partnership, in terms of our history,” he added.

Tootoosis said among the principles of Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation efforts is “telling the truth” of Indigenous peoples history in Canada.

“Part of that is (showing) respect and honour,” he said.

At 3 p.m. there will be a canon firing, as well as a cultural round dance, followed by closing remarks at about 3:45 p.m.

June 21 also marks the first Battlefords screening of the new award-winning Colten Boushie documentary nipawistamasowin: We Will Stand Up by director Tasha Hubbard. The film will be shown at Capitol Theatre at 7 p.m., with a panel discussion to follow. The show will continue its run at the theatre until June 27.

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angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW

by Angela Brown

Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations will be marked by dance, signing

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