National Aboriginal Day on June 21 became a full week of events in St. Paul and Saddle Lake, beginning with ceremonies in St. Paul and area schools, and ending with the vibrancy of Saddle Lake’s annual powwow this past weekend.
When the Mannawanis Native Friendship Centre decided to spearhead a week of events, the board quickly found that several other partners were only too eager to join in, to discuss and promote First Nations history, culture and traditions. Local schools held their own activities to mark June 21 as well.
Sen. Murray Sinclair, the chief justice who headed the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, notes that among the calls to action the commission made was to educate people and raise awareness as the key to reconciliation between indigenous and non-indigenous individuals.
That mandate was certainly filled on a local level last week, with people of different backgrounds coming out to stand shoulder to shoulder at events such as the walk for friendship, a music and dance showcase and the powwow.
In a world where hate-spouting Donald Trump could conceivably become the next president of the United States, in a world where British voters failed to remember the lessons of the past and turned their backs on European solidarity, one could say events that herald cooperation and unity are more important than ever.
Partners hope this week of activities becomes an annual event, and sees larger and larger crowds come over the years, recognizing the truth that united we stand, divided we fall.
