National Indigenous Peoples Day a joyous celebration in Regina

Regina’s Victoria Park was filled with laughter, big smiles and mouthfuls of bannock Tuesday as people gathered to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day.

The main event took place on the stage with large crowds in attendance. Many students attended from different Regina schools and were more than willing to participate in the celebration.

Indigenous elders had front-row seats to the show and laughed along with host Conway Kootenay. Many audience members enjoyed the entertainment while snacking on bannock.

Metis dance group the Asham Stompers jigged so hard that many people in the audience stood up and danced with them. The Red Dog Drum Group accompanied the Starblanket Dancers which had young dancers excited.

Zayden Littletent was especially excited to see the Starblanket Dancers perform because he’s a chicken dancer in his spare time. His mom, Phyllis Littletent, stood by clapping along.

Phyllis had a big smile on her face the entire event.

“It’s a very honouring day,” she said. “We as Indigenous people are very blessed to have you people share a part of what we are.

“This day represents what we are to all Indigenous people. For me, it’s a very healing day to share all of this with you and everybody.”

Phyllis said it is important to introduce concepts of reconciliation at a young age.

“We are showing our kids how to love and respect one another, and leading them in that positive direction and healing together and coming together as one,” she said. “Doing everything for reconciliation is beautiful, and it’s a very right and a very positive step in the right direction.”

Celebrations of Indigenous culture weren’t around when Phyllis was younger. The celebrations continue to give her hope.

“Something I could not say in the past but I can (now) honestly tell you is that I am proud to be First Nations, and I am proud to pass it on to my children,” she said. “As we continue to do things like this and take steps in this positive direction, it’s a healing journey.”

Residential School Memorial Unveiled

At Government House the Residential School Memorial was unveiled recognizing all the locations of residential schools in Saskatchewan.

“We do have to remember, and we need a lasting place where people can come to to remember, to reflect, to pray and to think what residential schools did to our country, specifically to Indigenous people,” Lt.-Gov. Russell Mirasty said before the unveiling.

The Residential Schools Memorial was unveiled at Government House in Regina on June 21, 2022. (Gillian Massie/980 CJME)

The memorial was developed after input from Elders and survivors of the schools.

It comprises a large stone that was selected by Mirasty from Treaty 4 Territory. A smudge stone is installed in front for ceremonial purposes.

The permanent memorial fulfils the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action No. 82, which called for the construction of a highly visible memorial in each of Canada’s capital cities.

The commission believes approximately 20 federally operated residential schools were in Saskatchewan from the 1880s to the 1990s.

Mirsaty said the memorial is meant to be a place of learning about the schools, and to recognize the damages they have done and continue to do.

“There is very much a spiritual aspect to this site and that’s very important to remember and acknowledge,” he said.

The memorial sits on a site that is a circle to represent a circular way of thinking. All of the plants around the circle are native to Saskatchewan to represent where the areas the residential schools are.

The Residential Schools Memorial was unveiled at Government House in Regina on June 21, 2022. (Gillian Massie/980 CJME)

Ted Quewezance, an Elder and residential school survivor from Keeseekoose First Nation, was there to unveil the memorial alongside Mirasty.

“I never knew my mom until I was 10 years old,” said Quewezance. “That’s the painful thing about it is the sorrow that we all went through, and what’s happening here today is part of the members who sat with survivors in part of having this special day.”

With recent discoveries of mass graves on residential school sites, Quewezance said the most important thing to do is to challenge the deniers from this happening.

“So my friends, I reach out to you in a very positive way,” he said. “Support our families, support our survivors, support the communities and support the families of the missing children we are finding across the country.”