National Indigenous Peoples Day returning to Riverbank

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This article was published 06/06/2022 (1473 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

National Indigenous Peoples Day organizers have a series of events planned to bring the community together while honouring First Nation, Métis and Inuit cultures.

Festivities will be taking place across Brandon on June 21, with the majority of activities taking place at the Brandon Riverbank Discovery Centre. Planned activities include singing, dancing, artisans, drumming, teachings and other initiatives to honour National Indigenous Peoples Day (NIPD).

NIPD marks a time for people to learn about and celebrate Indigenous teachings and traditions, said Shannondoah Fleury, co-chair of the Brandon NIPD committee.

“We hope they see and experience Indigenous culture. Some people for the first time,” Fleury said. “Some people like to come back every year and see the artists perform … and see all the outfits, the dancers.”

Organizers are excited to see everyone at the planned festivities and expect it will feel like a reunion after being unable to host typical activities since 2019 due to COVID-19.

Each visit to the event offers a new experience, said NIPD committee co-chair Char Thies. A diverse selection of activities takes place during each celebration, and the excitement often draws people back year after year.

“You get a taste and you want more,” she said. “You keep coming back.”

Organizers held an NIPD Sud Spud fundraising dinner at Houstons Friday night, raising $1,495 in support of the upcoming celebrations. The funds raised will be used to pay for performers, vendors and activities included in the day’s revelries.

The committee has brought together multiple community partners and sponsors to bring the event to Brandon, including the Brandon Friendship Centre, Manitoba Métis Federation Southwest Region, Brandon Urban Aboriginal Peoples’ Council, Brandon Police Service, Assiniboine Community College (ACC), Brandon University, the Riverbank Discovery Centre, Brandon Big Brothers Big Sisters, the John Howard Society of Brandon and community members.

Additional sponsors for the event include Sunrise Credit Union, Look Music, the ACC Students’ Union, the Brandon Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation, Heritage Co-op and others.

Planning for events has come together quickly and effectively, Fleury said. Volunteers are excited to once again return to the Riverbank to celebrate the day for the first time together in three years.

“It’s getting close. It’s getting to crunch time, but everything is going pretty well,” Fleury said.

This year’s entertainment at the Fusion Credit Union Stage includes local artists Steven and Elvis Demontigny, Julianna Moore, The Sweet Medicine Singers, The D-Town Steppers and a powwow presentation.

Indian City and Don Amaro will headline the evening.

A powwow demonstration will take place on the stage with the Grand Entry taking place from noon to 1 p.m.

A selection of traditional Indigenous children’s games and activities will also be available to help introduce participants to the culture.

Bannock-making demonstrations will be taking place throughout the day offering guests a delicious treat, she added. Visitors can learn how the delicacy is made before trying a sample for themselves.

Before the official festivities on June 21, the Corporate Tipi Challenge will be taking place on June 20 at the Riverbank Discovery Centre.

“It will be creating the teepee village and it will just be a fun thing for people to walk through and see the teepees,” Fleury said. “It’s a fun way to get to meet your sponsors.”

Ten teepees will be constructed around the west end of the Riverbank Discovery Centre. Each structure has a corporate sponsor, and the committee is looking to recruit two to three more companies to participate in the competition.

The race to set up the perfect teepee is often a time of jubilation, setting the tone for NIPD celebrations, Thies said. The winner of the challenge will walk away with a special trophy marking their triumph.

“They talk and they laugh and everybody is busy and it’s like a challenge. Everybody has got their game face on,” Thies said.

Organizers are working to offer a storytelling session at the teepees, but are waiting for confirmation, she added.

The last Corporate Tipi Challenge took place three years ago in the rain, she said, and even though the weather was awful, people still had a great time.

She added that NIPD celebrations will be taking place across Brandon.

John Howard will be hosting a feast at 1 p.m., followed by Smudge the Streets and a walk down to the Riverbank. John Howard will host its second Smudging Our Streets event to honour the Summer Solstice, a community walk and feast for the community. The special smudging ceremony offers a chance for spiritual cleansing.

“It’s going to be really exciting and busy,” Thies said.

Contact Fleury or Thies for more information on volunteering or sponsorship opportunities for NIPD at bfc.cpnp@mymts.net or sfleury@southwestmmf.ca.

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