REGINA - National Indigenous Peoples Day is back on for the morning of June 21, with the City of Regina hosting a community celebration of Indigenous culture downtown.
The events take place in Victoria Park and Pat Fiacco Plaza on June 21, with an estimated 3,000 to 5,000 people expected.
What those attending can expect, said Kristin Francis, a National Indigenous People’s Day Planning Committee member, is a “whole variety of performances lined up for this Wednesday, June 21 — including a grand entry, we have Métis jigging, we have a Metis fiddle band, as well as powwow performances.”
Performers include the Kawacatoose Boys and dancers, the Creeland Dancers, Dean Smith and Band, and spoken word artist Zoey Roy who will be the MC for the day.
There is also Inuit Throat Singing from the Sila Singers, which is new this year.
There are a wide variety of activities planned for the whole family, including face painting, Inuit games, button making and a colouring station. Crafts and Indigenous artwork will be there as well.
“The event is going to take place from 10 AM until 1:30 PM,” said Jonathan Carrier, another planning committee member. It all gets started with the opening of the craft vendors and Kids Zone right at 10 a.m.
“There will be a grand entry at 11 (a.m.) so people can show up right at 10, get started with the Kids Zone, and then the grand entrance and performances will start at 11 o’clock.”
The events will also be happening in conjunction with the farmers market happening as well, so it will be a busy time in the downtown area.
Regina has been holding Indigenous celebrations for 11 years, starting with the first events at Wascana Park before moving downtown. A wide variety of community organizations are involved in putting it together with the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Network.
National Indigenous People’s Day is held on the day of the summer solstice, which “holds a huge importance to the Indigenous culture,” said Francis.
“It’s also an opportunity to bring the community together to learn and appreciate and celebrate First Nations, Metis, and Inuit culture.”
It’s also about promoting an inclusive environment, with everyone welcome to come down for the event.
“It’s a great way to start your reconciliation journey,” said Carrier.
For more information you can visit the Regina National Indigenous Peoples Day Facebook page.
