LAC LA BICHE - National Indigenous People’s Day celebrations took place on June 20 at Lac La Biche’s McArthur Park, honouring Canada’s First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples.
During the late morning, a crowd gathered in the park for the event, which begin with a land acknowledgement spoken by Korey Latham-Bourassa.
There were also speeches by dignitaries, including Lac La Biche County Mayor Paul Reutov, Beaver Lake Cree Nation Coun. Leonard Jackson, Chantel Sparklingeyes, the Lac La Biche district captain for District 19 of the Métis Nation of Alberta Otipemisiwak government, and Portage College president Nancy Broadbent.
Those who turned out for the celebration were also able to enjoy a free lunch along with entertainment by the Kikino Northern Lites Métis square dance group, dancers Violet, Victor, and Manaya Duncan of Kehewin Cree Nation, and others.
Robert Rayko, the cultural and community facilitator for Portage College, said National Indigenous People’s Day is important to observe each year.
“The reason why we celebrate it is to acknowledge all the contributions that Indigenous peoples have made to our communities. And so, the national one is a celebration to acknowledge that,” he said.
“Anything that we do helps towards reconciliation, because it gives people a better understanding of Indigenous peoples,” he said, going on to explain there are misunderstandings and falsehoods about Indigenous people in Canada.
Leonard Jackson, a member of Beaver Lake Cree Nation council, agreed that celebrating National Indigenous People’s Day in Lac La Biche and across Canada helps to recognize the country’s first peoples.
“It’s finally coming to a time where we’re being recognized as a First Nation people,” Jackson said.
According to Chantel Sparklingeyes, the Lac La Biche Métis District captain for District 19 of the Otipemisiwak government, National Indigenous People’s Day is significant as it provides an opportunity for the public to learn about and become educated on the unique cultures and heritages of Indigenous peoples.
“Because of the history that Canada has with Indigenous people, it’s important to showcase the culture and the beauty that’s involved in the different Indigenous cultures, to normalize it, and to remove barriers and stereotypes,” Sparklingeyes stated.
Violet Duncan and her children, Victor and Manaya, who are from the Kehewin area, were on the stage in McArthur Park to perform traditional dances such as grass, fancy and shawl dances.
Through dancing, Violet said, she can promote her culture.
“Dancing is such a beautiful way to kind of cross cultures, cross language, cross spirituality, beliefs, because it’s a way to showcase respect . . . and respect is just a huge word for us . . . Respect for land and water, and other people and animals,” Violet said.
