Treaty 2 Territory Holds Indigenous People’s Day Gathering in National Park

Originally planned to take place on Ebb and Flow First Nation, Treaty 2 Territory’s gathering for National Indigenous People’s Day outgrew its original location and moved to the Sharing Lodge at Wasagaming just inside Riding Mountain National Park. The location was not only central for a lot of attendees in the region, but also drew attention to the celebration from visitors to the park, which included people from not only outside of the area but also Germany, China and India.

Master of ceremonies and member of the organising committee Marlene Davis opened the afternoon with a drumming group from Skownin First Nation which consisted entirely of young girls, followed by greetings from what Davis described as the youngest attendee, a girl named Gabriela who was already able to speak her own language.

That theme carried through the following speakers, most of whom spoke in their own language as well. Davis spoke about how language was one of the things that colonisers tried to take from Indigenous peoples, lending significance to using their own languages during ceremonies and when speaking about their experiences. Attendees heard stories and teachings from elders and knowledge keepers, some of whom identified as residential school survivors.

Following the speakers, the North Wolf Ojibway Drum Group played for the pow wow dancers, including traditional dancers, fancy dancers, jingle dancers, and dances specified as intertribal and also for children. After the dancers, attendees were treated Metis fiddle music and traditional jigging as well.

Because the gathering drew attendees from the park and nearby campground and cottages, speakers and organisers encouraged people to ask questions if there was anything they wanted to know about, and made a point of explaining what each portion of the gathering signified.

Preceding the public gathering was a pipe ceremony inside the Sharing Lodge to bless the event, and Davis indicated that The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Crown–Indigenous Relations, was in attendance and holding meetings concurrent to the public ceremonies.