Regina set to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day
National Indigenous Peoples Day (formerly known National Aboriginal Day) is a day for all Canadians to recognize and celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples, the three groups recognized as Indigenous peoples under the Canadian Constitution.
In Regina, there are many opportunities to get involved in the June 21 celebrations.
The City of Regina is hosting a National Indigenous Peoples Day event in Victoria Park. The event, which has been held annually since 2013, begins at 7:30 a.m. with men’s and women’s pipe ceremonies. Live entertainment is scheduled from 10 a.m. to around 2 p.m., featuring multiple performances from the Charging Bear Pow Wow dancers, BG Lang (hip hop artist), Creeland Dancers (jiggers), fiddlers Dallas and Phil Boyer, and Zoey Roy (spoken word artist). A round dance at 2:25 p.m. closes out the event.
“This is a day for celebrating culture and heritage and just enjoying yourself,” said Rob Allin, chair of the Aboriginal City Employees. “Sharing culture leads to understanding and I believe that’s how we’re going to be able to move forward as a community. We invite everybody to come out and the event is all-inclusive.”
The Regina Public Library (RPL), one of the community partners behind the event, will be providing some educational opportunities for children. Children can learn how to write their name in Cree syllabics on a wooden bookmark and then decorate it. This year, the RPL is working with a local First Nations dance group to teach traditional pow wow dancing.
“We’ve always had dancers exhibiting their skills and there’s always been a teaching component to that when they talked about why they’re doing that dance and what the history and cultural significance is, but this is the first time we’re going to give children the opportunity to take part in the dancing,” said Tanya Rogoschewsky, who leads adult and young adult programming at the RPL.
“The library is a place where we try and create those community connections and those learning opportunities, so this is a just a perfect space for us to be in.”
During the morning, people can also take in National Indigenous Peoples Day festivities at Government House. A traditional blessing and dance performance will be held for the public at 10:30 a.m. on the Ceremonial Circle.
Casino Regina has a number of events planned as part of National Indigenous Peoples Day. It’s hosting its second annual Indigenous Arts & Craft Fair from 1-8 p.m.
in the show lounge. Between 25 to 30 vendors will be onsite to sell their unique products, such as First Nations beadwork, artwork, clothing, footwear, jewelry, accessories and home décor products. Throughout the month of June, Casino Regina will also be decorated with Indigenous décor.
In addition to the art show, the Casino will also be serving complimentary bannock to guests and featuring Indigenous dance performances on the gaming floor. The programming starts at 1:50 p.m. with an on-floor dance demonstration featuring Charging Bear. The dancers will begin dancing at the entrance of the Last Spike and will end up at the show lounge. There are a number of performances scheduled from 2 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., including pow wow dancing and round dance singing from Charging Bear, Métis fiddling from Dallas and Phil Boyer, flute playing from Bronson Haywahe and square dancing.
“SaskGaming is proud to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day by sponsoring and hosting a number of events that recognize unique heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding achievements of First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples,” said Kristin Francis, SaskGaming manager of community relations and marketing.
The Circle Project Association in Regina is hosting its annual National Indigenous Peoples Day celebration in North Central from 2:30 to 9 p.m. at Grassick Park Playground (Cameron Street and 4th Avenue). The event is supported by community partners Indigenous Christian Fellowship and Regina Education and Action on Child Hunger. It’s the longest standing festivities in the city, entering its 21st year.
“This celebration has evolved from a small gathering in the back of one of the partner’s buildings to one of the most significant and largest celebrations within the city,” said Natasha Wesaquate, National Indigenous Peoples Day committee chairperson. “The North Central community has the highest Indigenous population in the city and we’ve worked hard to ensure the celebration remains in the neighbourhood.”
The event, which is free and open to the public, includes cultural activities throughout the day including traditional dance demonstrations and performances, traditional hand games and lacrosse demonstrations. There is a cultural activities tent with fun interactive activities and information to highlight Indigenous culture. An Elders’ tent is an invitation for community Elders to relax, visit and enjoy entertainment and activities. A community barbeque will take place at supper time.
The evening entertainment starts at 5 p.m. and features a new event this year: the Indigenous Battle of the Bands.
“Over the years we’ve had all sorts of different entertainment through the evening and we wanted to try something that highlights local Indigenous talent,” Wesaquate said. “The whole band doesn’t need to include Indigenous artists but there must be Indigenous representation. It kind of speaks to reconciliation through the collaboration of Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. We’ve received interest from bands throughout southern Saskatchewan. It should be a really great time.”