Local students partake in National Indigenous Peoples Day a week early to ensure everyone can celebrate. Many communities across the province take part in the event to recognize the culture of First Nation, Metis and Inuit peoples.
Students gathered outside of Jack Kemp Elementary on Wednesday to watch their fellow classmates showcase traditional pow wow dancing. Vice Principal Pam Mather believes it’s important for non-indigenous students to see the Indigenous culture alive and celebrated within the community.
“About 30 per cent of our students are declared First Nations or Metis so it’s important for those students to have a sense of belonging, a sense of ownership.”
“We had some bannock for a snack and some dried meat. We don’t have dried moose meat but we had beef jerky for a snack as well,” Mather believes the celebration spotlights the inclusion within the community.
The school chose to celebrate early due to many families going back to their home reserves on the official date. National Indigenous Peoples Day is on June 21