聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 A program to celebrate National Aboriginal Day at Kamsack on June 21 began with Stella Pelly delivering an opening prayer that recognized, in particular, 鈥渢he children; our youth.鈥�
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Held on the grounds of the Kamsack Petro-Can, the event began at 11 a.m. and was followed with a lunch of barbecued burgers and bannock.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Saying that many Canadian communities were celebrating National Aboriginal Day, Pelly explained how this 鈥渟pecial day鈥� had begun in 1996 as a way of recognizing 鈥渢he rich heritage of Aboriginal people.鈥� She talked about several items in current popular use that had originated by North America鈥檚 Aboriginals, including coffee, chocolate, chewing gum and popcorn, and explained that traditionally, Aboriginal people are connected to the earth.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 鈥淲e commit ourselves to our children, our culture and our language,鈥� she said, adding that one cannot go far in the world if 鈥渨e don鈥檛 hold hands.鈥�
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 鈥淲e have to love one another,鈥� she said, calling out for persons to reach out for understanding and to pray for, not judge, those who are lost.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 鈥淭his is a day for all Canadians to recognize and celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding contributions of First Nations, Inuit and M茅tis peoples,鈥� said Kamsack Mayor Nancy Brunt, explaining that the day was the 20th anniversary of National Aboriginal Day.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Brunt said that Gov.-Gen. Romeo LeBlanc had created the day after many consultations with First Nation, Inuit and M茅tis people.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 鈥淣ational Aboriginal Day isn鈥檛 just about Indigenous people celebrating their heritage, it鈥檚 a chance for all Canadians to learn about our country鈥檚 history and to celebrate Canada鈥檚 diversity,鈥� she said. 鈥淗ere in Kamsack we are happy to celebrate this day and acknowledge all Indigenous peoples and their roles in making our community a great place to call home.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 鈥淚t is by working together that we can build a happy, healthy and safe community,鈥� she said. 鈥淎s Romeo Leblanc said: 鈥楳ay the First Peoples of our past always be full and proud partners in our future鈥�.鈥�
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 The Whitehawk Singers of Cote First Nation performed an honour song on the drum and Sarah Genaille of Pelly talked about how important the Red River jig and square dancing are among First Nations and M茅tis. Genaille鈥檚 daughter Farrah Raabel demonstrated some jigging steps and immediately a group of Grade 3 students of the Victoria School and a few other lively individuals joined her in a fast-moving jig.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 James Perry was at the barbecue cooking burgers and the Family Resource Centre鈥檚 mobile unit was in attendance to pull out several crafts and games for the children.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 The Parkland Regional Library鈥檚 literacy hub organized the event with Kamsack Petro-Canada and the New Beginnings Outreach Centre.
聽鈥淥ur province鈥檚 very name 'Saskatchewan' is derived from the Cree language,鈥� said Donna Harpauer, minister responsible for First Nations, M茅tis and Northern Affairs. 聽鈥淎boriginal peoples are a fundamental part of our province鈥檚 history, diversity, and identity.
鈥淚t鈥檚 important for all of us to recognize National Aboriginal Day, whether that鈥檚 by participating in a community event or other activity that promotes understanding of reconciliation,鈥� Harpauer said.
National Aboriginal Day is for all Canadians to recognize and celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding contributions of First Nations, Inuit and M茅tis peoples, she said, adding that on a day dedicated to the celebration of Aboriginal heritage, the Ministry of Parks, Culture and Sport was pleased to announce the intention to designate the Regina Indian Industrial School Cemetery as Provincial Heritage Property.
Through the formal designation process, a Notice of Intention to Designate this property was signed in May and the Order to Designate will be eligible in July, said a release from government relations.聽It is anticipated that there will be an event to mark this designation this summer.
鈥淥ur government intends to designate this cemetery as Provincial Heritage Property,鈥� said Ken Cheveldayoff, minister of parks, culture and sport.聽鈥淭he Regina Indian Industrial School Cemetery needs to be recognized, remembered and understood as part of our shared history.
鈥淭his Provincial Heritage Property designation will recognize the 43 different First Nations communities, mostly in Saskatchewan, whose children attended the Regina Indian Industrial School, and reflects the Government of Saskatchewan鈥檚 continuing commitment to truth and reconciliation.鈥�
