The fifth annual Western Days celebration will take place this weekend, Sept. 12 and 13 on Saulteaux First Nation. (Submitted photo/Saulteaux First Nation)

By Martin Martinson

Weekend Fun

Saulteaux Western Days to go ahead this weekend

Sep 11, 2020 | 8:00 AM

While many community events have been postponed or all-out cancelled this year, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, there is one celebration this weekend, going ahead on a nearby First Nation.

Saulteaux First Nation will host their Western Days celebration this weekend, Sept. 12 and 13.

Western Days is an annual event in the community that will be heading into its fifth year.

Featuring chuck wagon races, team roping, a ball tournament and even a parade amongst the activities, Western Days features events for all ages.

Gabe Moccasin, of Saulteaux First Nation, is one of the organizers with this year’s event. He said it was important to go ahead with the festivities this year, as a real sense of community is as important as ever right now, amid the ongoing pandemic.

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“It’s important for friends and family to get together,” Moccasin said. “Some people [may not] know about Western Days, so we’re encouraging them to come and join us. We enjoy people coming to visit our community.”

Moccasin said there will be a few changes this year, however, due to the pandemic.

He said the chariot races and some of the other more directly-interactive events will not go ahead this year, while various new precautions will be put in place to best-insure the health and wellbeing of all attending this year’s event.

“There will be a lot of hand sanitizer available, and masks will be provided for those needing them too,” he said. “Social distancing is also a must, so we’re going to try to accommodate whatever needs to be done [to keep it a safe atmosphere.]”

Saulteaux First Nation is located just north of Cochin. It is approximately 30 minutes north of North Battleford, and just under 1.5 hours south of Meadow Lake.

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1