Wanuskewin hosting major commemoration for National Truth and Reconciliation Day

The day’s programming starts at 10:00AM with an opening ceremony, including a prayer from an Elder and an honour song. From 11:00AM to 4:00PM, visitors can participate in a range of cultural, educational, and artistic activities.

Programming will include both presentations and lessons on music and dance. Fiddler Jordan Daniels will play at 11:00AM.

At 2:00PM, Randy Morin from the Saskatchewan Writers Guild will speak on the healing aspects of the Cree language and culture, and how they can help people navigate fear and anxiety.

There will also be a community art project with Leah Morin from 11:00AM to 3:00PM, birch bark basket making with knowledge keeper Lyndon Linklater from 11:00AM to 2:00PM, and an archeology program with the Saskatchewan Archeological Society from 11:00AM to 4:00PM.

Sacred Bundle, by artist Adele Arseneau, will close out the programming on the 30th. (Image Credit: photo provided by Wanuskewin)

“Wanuskewin is an excellent catalyst to Reconciliation. It is this community-built place, a gathering space for over 6,000 years where people of all walks of life, all backgrounds, all levels of knowledge of what Reconciliation means in Saskatchewan can gather, connect, learn, and experience,” said Chutskoff.

“I hope every single person walks away (from the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation commemoration) with at least one new perspective or new understanding.”

Starting at 4:00PM, one of two significant artworks will make their Wanuskewin debut. First is the 2026 documentary, I am Gitxsan, by award-winning filmmaker Hossein Martin Faze. The film follows Phoenix Apperloo, a recent high school graduate reconnecting with his Indigenous heritage and exploring the impacts of colonialism and residential schools.

The filmmaker will follow the screening with an in-person Q & A.

“I spoke with Elder Eugene Arcand about the documentary – I wanted to get a survivor’s perspective on this documentary before a proceeded ahead. He was quite taken aback with it, in a very good way. He said it’s very hard subject matter, but this story needs to be told,” said Marcel Robitaille, curator at Wanuskewin.

Documentary ‘I am Gitxsan’ will play at 4:00PM, followed by a live Q&A with the filmmaker. (Image Credit: photo provided by Wanuskewin)

“I hope that people see the impact of residential schools – the lack of culture and language that was taken away from those children who attended. That legacy from residential schools is still with us today.”

The evening will conclude with the opening reception for ᐁᐧᐢᑫᐧᐱᑖᑲᐣ (wîskwêpitâkan) Sacred Bundle, a new exhibition by Nehiyaw and Métis artist Adele ᒪᐢᑿᓱᐤᐏᐢᑵᐤ Arseneau from 6:30PM-8:30PM.

The exhibition features 141 miniature carved cradleboards, representing each of the schools named in Canada’s 2007 Indian Residential School settlement. The work offers an opportunity for visitors to reflect on the residential school system, the children and families affected, and the ongoing importance of remembrance.

“I can’t wait for people to see it. It speaks to not only resiliency, but was also a creative output for Adele during a very hard time in her life, and putting this exhibition together was a real stepping for her work as an artist and as a therapeutic practice,” said Robitaille.

“I hope that people see each cradleboard not as a statistic or being part of a historic legislation, but that each cradleboard represents children that never came home. It’s a living history that’s happening now, and will impact us for the next hundred years.”

Due to ongoing construction on Wanuskewin Road, visitors are advised to access the park via Millar Avenue or Highway 11. Wanuskewin Heritage Park are working with the City of Saskatoon and Ministry of Highways to ensure traffic-flow on September 30 is managed.

by NC Raine - Eagle Feather News

Wanuskewin hosting major commemoration for National Truth and Reconciliation Day

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