4 | NATIONAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY
SATURDAY, JUNE 17, 2023
Elder Wanbdi Wakita shares wise words
BY WENDY KING
How should we observe National
Indigenous Peoples Day? It’s an important question. Maybe the proper place to find the answer is to seek wise counsel from Indigenous Elders. Wanbdi Wakita is Grandfather in Residence for the Access Program at University of Manitoba. He has fulfilled many roles in his lifetime: Chief of Sioux Valley Dakota Nation and Sundance Chief, Peacekeeper in the Canadian Armed Forces, supporter of inmates in the corrections system, recipient of the Order of Manitoba. He is a residential school survivor. Perhaps his most important role is doing that which he calls Creator’s work: Wicasa Wakan (Holy Man). We asked Wanbdi Wakita for his thoughts this National Indigenous Peoples Day. These are some of the sentiments he shared:
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Elder Wanbdi Wakita PHOTO BY DARCY FINLEY
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