Prince Albert comes together to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples’ Day

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The summer solstice, which is the longest day of the year, holds deep cultural significance for many Indigenous groups as it’s the culmination of Indigenous Peoples Month held every June. The first National Indigenous Peoples’ Day was proclaimed in 1996 by Gov. Gen. Romeo LeBlanc as “National Aboriginal Day” following years of advocacy from Indigenous groups. The day was officially changed to National Indigenous Peoples’ Day in 2017. 

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To celebrate in Prince Albert, some local organizations donated their effort to the event like the Mann Art Gallery supplying an art tent and CUPE Saskatchewan donating the burgers and hot dogs, along with buns, condiments, and a cold treat for dessert. Little Ceasars also donated some pizza towards the end of the event. 

(Image Credit: Logan Lehmann/paNOW Staff)

Mat Derworiz is a member of CUPE 882 and was one of the volunteers helping with the BBQ. He told paNOW that it was important for him to give up some of his time for the event. 

“For me, I have a strong desire to see our community heal from the racism that we see sometimes in our community. You know, you look at social media and there’s still a lot of ugliness out there, and days like today are days that we can celebrate and heal as a community.” 

Parenteau echoed that by adding she’s happy that her people and culture are being honoured today because “we’re the first people.” 

“We were here time immemorial, and we talk about residential schools, but we’re [just] getting through it. We’re healing and this is part of healing today – the music, the entertainment, the communication, the visiting. There are even powwows and drum dances and stuff like that happening, but this is an important day to us here.” 

“I just truly would like people to learn who we are and where we came from, because all the homelessness and all the things that are happening within the urban setting here in the city are because of residential schools,” she continued, when asked if she had anything else to say. 

(Image Credit: Logan Lehmann/paNOW Staff)

Many other events were held across the province and country to mark National Indigenous Peoples’ Day.  

In Ottawa, a ceremony was hosted by Aboriginal Veterans Autochtones to mark the 25th anniversary of the unveiling of the National Aboriginal Veterans Monument. The bronze sculpture by artist Noel Lloyd Pinay, from Peepeekisis First Nation in Saskatchewan, features four warriors along with an elk, a bear, a buffalo and a wolf, overlooked by an eagle intended to represent the Creator.  

Closer to home, near Saskatoon, Wanuskewin Heritage Park hosted a celebration with traditional dancing, drum performances and storytelling.  

-with files from The Canadian Press 

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loganc.lehmann@pattisonmedia.com