By Bryan Eneas

Nipawin to host unique National Aboriginal Day celebrations

Jun 17, 2016 | 12:50 PM

This year marks 20 years of National Aboriginal Day celebrations and event organizers in Nipawin are proud of their diverse array of traditional activities.

Locals from town, Red Earth and Shoal Lake Cree Nations will gather at the Oasis Community Center June 21 at 10 a.m. for opening prayers and a teepee raising ceremony. Throughout the day, members will host a variety of traditional and cultural events. Oasis executive director Joy Hanson, said it hasn’t been difficult to fill the day with activities.

“We just keep adding on, we ask people what their strengths are and people tell us ‘oh, I can do this, or I can do that’ it’s been great,” she said.  

Activities include a showcase of local Cree culture, from apple dunking, to drum and teepee workshops, to rabbit snaring and a session explaining how to make goose taste like moose.

“There’s going to be a bit of an archeological dig going on for the kids. There’ll be a pile of sand that they can dig up some artifacts,” Hanson said.

Safety first

Safety concerns and tips surrounding discarded needles in P.A.

16h ago

Liquor stores must change hours

Prince Albert limits liquor store hours

19h ago

skin care +

LUXE22 Clinic : Elevating Beauty with Expert Treatments

20h ago

Elders from Red Earth and Shoal Lake will share their history in the early afternoon, before teaching how to make moss bags and traditional bonnets. The event also features traditional songs and a Cree language bingo.

Celebrations wrap once participants start filtering out. Hanson anticipated between 5 or 6 p.m.

Activities are all ages, and everyone is welcome to attend. Lunch and dinner are provided by the Oasis center.

Bryan.eneas@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @BryanEneas