National Indigenous Peoples Day is being celebrated in Lloydminster to recognize the culture of First Nation, Metis and Inuit peoples.
The federally recognized day will see the Lloydminster Friendship Centre taking the lead in the City with a day full of events. Executive Director Bonnie Start says the festivities begin at 10 a.m. with a tipi raising.
“We’ll have cultural leaders and elders here explaining the meaning of each tipi pole and the significance of the set up of the tipi.”
Powwow dancers, a Metis musician and a puppeteer will be performing throughout the day.
Lloydminster is already in a process of reconciliation and Start says this day plays an important part in creating a better understanding of Indigenous people while building better relationships. The Friendship Centre is part of the reconciliation committee that began a year and a half ago.
“At that time there was a small group that were meeting regularly and it’s a very positive thing to say that our group has grown and it continues to grow. There’s more organizations and businesses that are wanting to participate with us.”
Start says their celebration will also help people to get to know the services they provide.
“It’s a way of welcoming people to our centre who may not have ever been to the centre and to help people understand that we serve everyone here regardless ethnicity, gender, age so our doors are always open to anyone.”
National Indigenous Peoples Day is on June 21 and festivities will take place outside the centre.