10 | NATIONAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY
JUNE 2025
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A number of activities will be geared towards youngsters including face- painting and Indigenous-themed games like chase the fox. There will be several elder-led activities such as cradleboard teachings, moss bag teachings and lessons about Indigenous medicines. Visitors will also be able to take in a number of drumming performances as well as a powwow demonstration. About 500 kilometres north and west of Portage, the Elbert Chartrand Friendship Centre in Swan River will be hosting its own National Indigenous Peoples Day celebration. The event has been taking place for several years and draws a capacity crowd of nearly 300 people each June. Executive director Lesley Sembaluk says the day is a great opportunity for people living in Swan River as well as surrounding First Nations and farm communities to come together to showcase Indigenous culture and acknowledge the contributions Aboriginal people have made in shaping this country. One of the highlights of the Swan River celebration will be a sunrise ceremony beginning at about 5 a.m. A sunrise ceremony is an ancient and revered ritual intended to mark and welcome the beginning of a new day as well as express appreciation and thanks for life and nature. That will be followed by a pancake breakfast that is open to all and will include a traditional blessing. A new addition for this year’s event is a recently commissioned fire pit featuring the seven sacred teachings of Indigenous culture that will be used for the first time.
Some staff will be doing double duty as they are also members of the Minitonas Métis local in the neighbouring community of Minitonas, where events will include a family fun day, games and activities such as a horseshoe tournament. The Riverton and District Friendship Centre, located about 110 kilometres north of Winnipeg, has been hosting National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations since it opened in 1981. This year’s festivities will take place from 5 to 9 p.m. in the centre’s backyard. The free event is expected to attract a crowd of about 300 guests. Entertainment has been a staple of Riverton’s Indigenous Day activities and this year will be no different. This year’s lineup will include Jason Lapine & the Métis Spirit Band, the Asham Stompers dance
troupe and several other performers. There will be
“
IT’S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR ANY
several kids’ activities for youngsters to take part in including face-painting,
NEWCOMERS TO OUR COMMUNITY TO EXPERIENCE SOME INDIGENOUS CULTURE AND LEARN MORE ABOUT THE LAND THAT THEY LIVE ON AND THE PEOPLE THAT WERE HERE BEFORE THEM. “ – Jeanna Emms, events and activities coordinator for the Portage la Prairie Friendship Centre
inflatables and a play
area. There will also be a crafts display that will
focus on beading or dreamcatcher making as well as a
teaching teepee offering lessons delivered by a local elder.
Building Futures, Honoring Roots this National Indigenous Peoples Day
WHEN CULTURE DRIVES CHANGE,
Learn more at UWINNIPEG.CA
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