National Indigenous Peoples Day marked with music, dance and sharing across Manitoba

With summer solstice came a celebration of Indigenous cultureWednesday as National Indigenous Peoples Day was marked by ceremonies and performances across Manitoba.

Cree, Ojibway, Oji-Cree, Dakota and Dene, Mtisand Inuit call Manitoba home, and Wednesday is a day Canadians are encouraged to celebrate and learn more about thecountry's first people.

National Indigenous Peoples Dayalso happens on the longest day of the year, June 21, marking the summer solstice.

In Winnipeg, the sounds of music and powwow rang out at The Forks, Sergeant Tommy Prince Place and the Burton Cummings Community Centre.

Bev Jones, a survivor of the Sixties Scoop, decided to take part in events at The Forks.

She says there's still a long way to go in reconciliation, but much has changed in the 43 years since she was taken from her parents.

"My mother lost her status, and so were we apprehended because we weren't allowed to live on the reserve with the rest of our people," she said.

"And so I've been healing for the last 43 years, on my healing journey. It's part of the healing journey, it's part of reconciliation I guess ... and it's about time."

Sharing culture

Up north in Thompson, Man., at least a thousand people gathered at McLean Park to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day, organizers said.

Anika Pilling, 13, a member of Sagkeeng First Nation, was there to perform and teach younger children how to hoop dance.

"It's actually a part of my culture and it would mean a lot to me to actually teach others because I've been hoop dancing since I was four," she said.

Pilling says she's proud to be Indigenous, and dances in orange regalia and with orange hoops to recognize her grandfather's experiences at Fort Alexander Residential School.

"My people have actually been treated horribly back then, and it makes me feel really bad, so I decided that I'm going to teach it [hoop dancing] so I can teach others and they can teach other people as well."

Gina Spence, the coordinator for the event with the Thompson Urban Aboriginal Strategy, says it's powerful seeing people sing, drum, dance and speak their traditional languages.

"It's important for all cultures to be able to share their culture and be proud of it."

Celebrations in Brandon area

In the western Manitoba city of Brandon, powwow dancers and musicians performed in an outdoor celebration at the Riverbank Discovery Centre.

Will Goodon of the Manitoba Mtis Federation, who emceed the opening ceremonies, said National Indigenous Peoples Day is not just a celebration, butan opportunity to learn as well.

"You can see the young folks walking around and they're learning and they're going to be able to have a better understanding of Indigenous peoples and our place here in what we now call Canada," he said.

Just outside Brandon, people gathered for a powwow at the Grand Valley Park campground, which reopened under the ownership of Sioux Valley Dakota Nation.

The First Nation acquired the operations and the lease of the park from the provincial government in December 2022. It will maintain and operate the park, cultural site, recreational vehicle camping area and winter tube park.

Campground manager Rob Fleury said Wednesday was the perfect day to host a grandreopening event, as people also celebrate First Nations culture.

"It's about what this park represents for us a lot of hope, a lot of exciting opportunities here at the park," he said.

'A day for everybody to celebrate'

Brittany Grisdale of Black Wolf Dog and Shauna Fontaine of Anishinaabe Girl Designs were vendors at an artisan market that was part Wednesday's events at Sergeant Tommy Prince Place in Winnipeg.

"For me, it's Indigenous day everyday. But I'm just happy to be within the community. I feel the spirit, I feel the energy," said Grisdale, a member of Brokenhead Ojibway Nation.

Fontaine, a member of SagkeengFirst Nation, said she hopes non-Indigneous people can take something away from Wednesday's celebrations as well.

"This is not just a day for Indigenous people to celebrate but it's a day for everybody to celebrate," she said.

"So I hope they would take away that hope and drive and the commitment to doing better and being better as an ally with Indigenous peoples."

National Indigenous Peoples Day in Manitoba

1 year ago

Duration 1:59

Today is National Indigenous Peoples Day and Manitobans are encouraged to celebrate, learn more about Indigenous culture and reflect on history. Manitoba is home to the Cree, Ojibway, Oji-Cree, Dakota and Dene, Mtis and Inuit. Lots of public events are going on today across Manitoba, including a powwow and musical performances at The Forks.