Celebration, education plans for National Indigenous Peoples Day

Tuesday, June 21 marks National Indigenous Peoples Day in Canada, with a number of events planned to celebrate the occasion in the Sault and area. 

Batchewana First Nation (BFN) will hold National Anishinaabe Day celebrations at 1 Canal Drive (St. Mary’s Island beside the Parks Canada building). 

Family activities will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

A Pow Wow takes place from 12 to 3 p.m. and includes a feast at 1 p.m.

The day will be capped off by fireworks at 10 p.m.

Garden River First Nation will unveil its new community sign at Garden River city limits at 1 p.m.

Highway 17B will be closed at city limits to Belleau Lake Road from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. for the occasion. Parking will be available at the MTO turnaround or on the side of the highway.

Dancing, drumming, horseback rides and food will be included in celebrations to be held from 5 to 7 p.m. at the GRFN Recreation Centre.

The event is free and open to all.

East View Public School will be sending students to Whitefish Island, where Batchewana First Nation is holding events. Sir James Dunn Public School in Wawa will be hosting Turtle Concepts for a day of learning, the Algoma District School Board told SooToday. 

In regards to the Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board, “many Indigenous students will participate in community events that day,” said Akeshia Shkaabewis Trudeau, H-SCDSB Indigenous lead teacher in an email.

“It’s important that National Indigenous Peoples Day is talked about and shared with everyone. We have created a resource list, which includes lesson ideas, books, videos and activities that teachers can use in their classroom that day. Many of the resources highlight Indigenous successes, authors, athletes, scientists. There will be art activities, Pow Wow fitness, Indigenous role model profiles, books and stories,” Trudeau said.

Batchewana First Nation will be hosting two events at Algoma University’s Queen Street campus to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day.

The first is a political discussion to be held at 8 p.m. in Room NW200, the second a BFN Movie Night beginning at 9 p.m. in Room NW200 where Lake Superior - Our Helper will be screened. 

Admission is free.

Sault College will be hosting a flag raising ceremony Tuesday at 10 a.m. in front of M Wing in honour of National Indigenous Peoples Day.