Swift Current is prepared to observe National Indigenous People’s Day after June 20 to June 23, 2022, was proclaimed to be Indigenous Peoples Week at last week’s city council meeting. 

Bula Ghosh, Tekayla Friday, and Lisa Kuntz of the Swift Current Truth and Reconciliation Committee attended city council last Monday to make the proclamation. 

“We are planning to mark this occasion with great respect and to hold special events to celebrate the traditions, arts and cultures of Indigenous people under the guidance of Elder Dale Mosquito and Elder Larry Oakes from the Nekaneet First Nations,” explained Friday. 

Elder Mosquito and Elder Oakes will be assisting students from the Chinook School Division in a Tepee raising ceremony located at the Great Plains College muster point at 10 a.m. this morning, 

The ceremony will be followed by a cultural program at Market Square. 

“On this day, we solemnly note the dark history of Canada that happened in so many different ways,” Kuntz added. “Residential schools, 60 scoop, missing and murdered indigenous women and girls and others. Even today, injustice and lack of support for the indigenous peoples exist. It is our hope by working with youth and the community at large, we can create awareness. This awareness will help us to navigate through reconciliation. Pave the path forward for a just, fair, and equitable society.” 

Ghosh added that residents are welcome to attend the events throughout the city and expand their knowledge. 

“This will be a day to learn through participation,” she stated. “We invite you to attend the events and support the reconciliation journey that we started five years ago. On June 21st, let us take a pledge to do something that will strengthen our resolution for truth and reconciliation.”