NATIONAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY | 3
JUNE 2026
On June 21st, I’ll be thinking of a hopeful future for Anishinaabe, Cree, Anisininew, Métis and Inuit people. Salute to my friends I have grown up with in Winnipeg.
in with a curious mind, an open mind and be open to new perspectives. You might not understand things right away, but it’s OK to ask questions. There are a lot of different people in this world and it’s really cool to have different viewpoints and different ways of living. Being able to collaborate and be open to accommodating each other, I think that’s just beautiful,” she says. Additional programming between June 21 to July 1 will include collaborations with Folk- lorama, the Winnipeg Folk Festival, The Junos, Sākihiwē Festival, Indigenous Music and more. There will be customized tours and speaker initiatives offering treaty insights. There will also be plenty of opportunities to learn about Indigenous culture and history at The Forks outside of the celebration days, including visiting the Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba’s Agowiidiwinan Centre, checking out Turtle Tours and partaking in the many offerings from Indigenous Tourism Manitoba. “We encourage folks to take other forms of transportation to get to The Forks on those busy days, especially on June 21 and July 1. If you can walk, bike, take transit, carpool, take the river, the riverwalk, we definitely encourage folks to do that,” Buiskool-Leeu- wma reminds. n
treaty and land-based teachings, an Inuit sharing circle and a Métis beading circle. Music lovers will be treated to a plethora of live music at the young artists’ music stage and performances by Burnstick, Cassidy Mann and Ila Barker. “The elders that we’ve been consulting with, Elder Charlotte Nolin, as well as Elder Barbara Nepinak, one of the things they really wanted to highlight for the programming overall was making it interactive, making it really focused on the youth, as well as focusing on relation- ships, [with] the land, and the interconnect- edness between all peoples on this land,” Houston says.
a drag brunch near the canopy, Pihtikwè will hold skateboard demos at the skate park and Indigenous Tourism Manitoba will host a scavenger hunt. At the CN Field area, there will be a hand- made market featuring all Indigenous artists, food vendors, lawn games, drumming and a powwow sponsored by the Southern Chiefs’ Organization. There will also be a tipi set up and opportunities to take in two-spirit,
COME WATCH, LISTEN, ASK QUESTIONS. MIND, AN OPEN MIND AND BE OPEN TO NEW PERSPECTIVES. “ – Tess Ray Houston, creative director for ! Wáhkóhtowin at The Forks and Kíwétinohk Consulting “
Ross listens!
Houston hopes that people who visit The Forks during the 11 days between National Indigenous Peoples Day and Canada Day will feel welcome, that they belong, and that there is room for and value in their experi- ences and stories. Her creative vision for the programming is to create a space where people can honour Indigenous cultures while creating a safe space for them to ask questions and learn. “Come watch, listen, ask ques- tions. We’re all learning here. Come
WE’RE ALL LEARNING HERE. COME IN WITH A CURIOUS
ROSS EADIE City Councillor, Mynarski Ward City issues? Call 204-289-5188
Email readie@winnipeg.ca www.winnipeg.ca/council or www.rosseadie.ca
PHOTOS SUBMITTED
On this National Indigenous Peoples Day, we honour and celebrate all First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples across Canada. Manitoba Public Insurance commits to continue building and strengthening partnerships with Indigenous Peoples in Manitoba, fostering an inclusive organization that promotes economic reconciliation, raising awareness, and increasing representation among employees, while ensuring culturally safer spaces and barrier free access to the products and services offered. To learn more about how we bring our Statement of Commitment to life, read our Indigenous Action Plan at: mpi.mb.ca/indigenous-engagement.
WE ACKNOWLEDGE THAT MPI OPERATES THROUGHOUT MANITOBA ON THE TREATY TERRITORIES AND ANCESTRAL LANDS OF THE ANISHINAABE, ININIWAK, ANISININEW, DAKOTA, DENE, INUIT AND THE HOMELAND OF THE RED RIVER MÉTIS.
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