Left, powwow celebrations planned in the Battlefords; right, FSIN Senator and Elder Jenny Spyglass. (File photo/battlefordsNOW staff and Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW staff)

By Angela Brown

Town event on June 16

Town, WDM get ready for National Indigenous Peoples Day

Jun 13, 2022 | 3:00 PM

There will be many ways for people to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day in the Battlefords this year.

The federal government honours the day as a time for all Canadians to recognize and celebrate the unique heritage, diverse culture and great contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.

The Town of Battleford will have a special day to celebrate the occasion on Thursday, June 16.

While Indigenous Peoples Day actually falls on June 21, the town wanted to hold its event a little earlier so people can also attend the other activities happening in the area.

“I think it’s a really important day,” said community planner, Paige Hundt, who is spearheading the town’s festivities. “Part of the title of the event is ‘Bringing Communities Together.’ That’s exactly what we’ve done.”

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The town has been working with people from Mosquito, Grizzly Bear’s Head, Lean Man First Nation Economic Development Corp., representatives from Red Pheasant Cree Nation, the Chief Poundmaker Museum, and a number of other organizations to bring the project together.

“I think it will be a great day for everyone to enjoy, and maybe learn something,” Hundt said.

The opening ceremony will run from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the gazebo at the Historic Battleford Lions Park on 22nd Street, with Battleford Mayor Ames Leslie, North Battleford Mayor David Gillan, MLA Jeremy Cockrill and some area First Nation chiefs participating.

Festivities during the day will take place on the 100 Block of 22nd street from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Visitors can take in powwow dance demonstrations, check out the various Indigenous businesses promoting their products and services, and visit some of the food trucks attending. There will also be an activities space for kids to enjoy.

The grand entry for the powwow dance will take place after 12 p.m.

A fireworks display will finish off the festivities at 10:30 p.m. in the field located west of Fort Battleford. To view the fireworks, people can park their vehicles along Central Avenue or First Avenue.

Hundt noted in the event of rain, the festivities will move to inside the arena in Battleford.

She would like to see the event turn into an annual tradition.

“I’m hoping this will be something really great that we can expand on in future years,” Hundt said.

Also coming up, the Western Development Museum (WDM) in North Battleford plans to hold a powwow on National Indigenous Peoples Day on Tuesday, June 21, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Respected Elder Jenny Spyglass, Senator with Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) and Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs Inc. (BATC) is looking forward to taking part in the powwows.

To her, National Indigenous Peoples Day is very important, as it is to all Indigenous people. she said.

It’s a day “to remember and honour our native nations,” said Spyglass.

It will be a time to think about the Indigenous veterans too. Her father, as well as her brother-in-law, Henry Beaudry, were both veterans who served this country.

Spyglass added that Indigenous Peoples Day is also a time for healing.

“We remember those that have suffered, like me I’m a residential school survivor,” she said. “To me, I’m happy to be still around here. One of my little brothers, he was only five years old and never made it home. We have to remember all those that never made it home.”

Spyglass hopes the day also serves as a time for Indigenous people “to forgive and to love.”

As well, she said Indigenous Peoples Day is also an opportunity to celebrate and share Indigenous culture, whether that’s the powwow dance, Indigenous languages or Indigenous arts.

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Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow