2 | NATIONAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY
JUNE 2026
30 years of celebration, culture and connection National Indigenous Peoples Day an opportunity to be inclusive and outward-looking
The Forks will present 11 days of celebrations as part of this year’s National Indigenous Peoples Day.
BY KRISTIN MARAND
Brandon, Gimli, Buffalo Point, Swan Lake First Nation, Saint-Pierre Jolys, Gambler First Nation, The Pas, Win- nipegosis, Riverton, Tootinaowaziibeeng, Sheridan, Sioux Valley Dakota Nation, Wuskwi Sipihk First Nation and Winnipeg. One of the largest gatherings will be Many Nations, One Heartbeat, with events taking place at The Forks. National Indigenous Peoples Day is the start of 11 days of programming at the historic gathering place, leading up to Canada Day. “Indigenous Peoples Day has always been import- ant to The Forks to celebrate. We’ve been the meeting place for thousands of years, and we really want to honour and celebrate the history that’s been here,” says Tineke Buiskool-Leeuwma, communications and marketing advisor for The Forks. “Last year, we really wanted to blend and celebrate all Manitobans, especially focusing on the past, which is why we did the 11 days of programming, where each day was celebrating and learning about a different treaty within the province. This year we decided we would do the same thing, but focusing on the present and future of Manitoba; celebrating the culture, the diversity, and the people here.” It’s also an opportunity to focus on reconciliation, says another organizer. “Canada, Turtle Island, this is the home of our peoples, and recognizing and welcoming is part of reconciliation,” adds Tess Ray Houston, creative direc- tor for ᐊᐧᐦᑯᐦᑐᐃᐧᐣ Wáhkóhtowin at The Forks and Kíwétinohk Consulting. “We need to be aware of the strife and the atrocities that have happened in the past, but I think it’s also really important to focus on where we’re currently at and what we can bring to the future. Focusing on how we can develop our Indigenous youth, and creating places for community, how we can move forward together, how we could progress, and create a sense of belonging for everyone.” The festivities will get underway on June 21 at 10:30 with an opening ceremony with Elders at the Oodena Celebration Circle. Bannock Babes will host
June 21 is the summer solstice and the longest day of the year. It is a date celebrated by many cultures the world over, and one that holds deep spir- itual and cultural significance for First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities as a time for cer- emony, renewal and gratitude for the earth’s cycles. Since 1996, the day has also been dedicated to honouring the contributions of the many Indigenous groups that have shaped our country. National Indigenous Peoples Day (NIPD) is one of five federal celebrations collectively referred to as Celebrate Canada days. They are opportunities to cele- brate our ethnic, linguistic, ethnocultural and regional diversity, which helps make Canada a truly inclusive and outward-looking country. For this year’s 30th anniversary, there are 20 official NIPD events listed at Canada.ca taking place across Manitoba between June 19 and 21. On June 20, Métis culture will be honoured at the annual Picnic Di Michif hosted by the Union Nationale Métisse Satin-Joseph du Manitoba at Fort Gibraltar in Winnipeg. Elsewhere in the city, the Southern Chiefs Organization will host an Indigenous reconciliation gathering at the Canadian Forces Base at 680 Wihuri Road and the Assiniboine Park Conservancy has a full day of activities planned. There are also events taking place on June 20 hosted by Sagkeeng Child and Fam- ily Services in Fort Alexander. On June 21, celebrations are planned in Thompson,
Many different Indigenous artisans and crafters will present their work during the Many Nations, One Heartbeat event at The Forks.
The Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba will have a significant presence at The Forks during NIPD festivities.
Visitors to The Forks during National Indigenous Peoples Day are encouraged to come with an open mind and a willingness to learn.
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