On June 21, 1996, the governor general of Canada at the time, Roméo LeBlanc, proclaimed it to be National Aboriginal Day, and every year since it has been set aside. It is now known as National Indigenous Peoples Day.
It is a day of recognizing and celebrating the culture, contributions and resilience of the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people of Canada.
Although it is not considered a statutory holiday, many Indigenous communities in Saskatchewan will take the time and plan festivities on this day.
This is a day for Indigenous people to display their culture through traditions and games that happened in the past, and to keep the importance of these elements alive.
Each community will hold an array of festivities and each one has something different.
White Bear First Nations (WBFN) has a full day planned to begin at 10 a.m.
Meeting at the WBFN powwow grounds located on Highway 9, a pancake breakfast will be served, followed by a hand drum singing contest and lili contest. A mini horseshoe tournament is scheduled and a competition for the fastest teepee setup and take down is also part of the day's excitement. Traditional hand games and legend sharing will also be part of the day.
A medicine plant identification and scavenger hunt will intrigue those that attend.
The festivities will end with a sweat lodge. The location being announced later.
Pheasant Rump Nakota First Nation (PRNFN) also has a day full of activities in recognition of the day. Located north of Kisbey on Highway 13, PRNFN will begin the day with an event held at the four towering teepees, weather permitting. If the weather is not agreeable it will be moved to the cecreation centre.
It will begin at 2 p.m. and offer a free barbecue to those that attend.
Terrance Littletent will perform hoop dancing, followed by a mini powwow with drums and dancers.
Several contests are in the lineup with lili and warrior calls, and a watermelon and hotdog eating contest.
An Indian auction, which might include artwork from locals and beaded items, will follow the contests, and the day will end with a Nakota Bingo offering many great prizes.
A Nakota Bingo has words instead of numbers that are related to the Indigenous people.
All these events are free and are open to everyone who wishes to attend.
Ocean Man First Nations will not be holding any events this year, but have chosen to send families to the Yorkton, Regina or White Bear celebrations.
