A number of local organizations are doing their part to mark National Indigenous Peoples Day. Thursday will be a day for people across Canada to acknowledge the diverse cultures and traditions within First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities.
Peace Wapiti School Division will be hosting a number of different events at their schools around the region. Teepee Creek Students will participate in traditional games while some of the youth at Penson School will participate in a blanket exercise.
Lessons about Indigenous people and their culture are becoming a regular part of students’ learning in PWSD. For the past number of months, Robert W. Zahara Public School has been focusing on Indigenous culture. Students and staff will salute Indigenous history by painting healing, celebratory or mindful words and quotes on rocks and feathers of peace, to be placed around the school.
The South Peace Regional Archives is also celebrating Indigenous heritage in the region throughout June with a series of displays and events.
The June issue of their regular publication “Telling Our Stories” is all about Aboriginal culture in the region. On Wednesday evening, the archives will host an event that will highlight some of the research their group has done.
The federal government says in cooperation with Indigenous organizations, June 21, the summer solstice, was chosen for National Aboriginal Day, now known as National Indigenous Peoples Day. They say this is because many Indigenous peoples and communities have celebrated their culture and heritage on or near this day due to the significance of the summer solstice as the longest day of the year.
