REGINA — Nearly 30 years ago, a non-profit group, the Circle Project, had a vision of bringing the Regina community together to celebrate Indigenous culture.
A year before this vision, in 1996, the Canadian government declared that every June 21 would be National Indigenous Peoples Day, as Regina, like many other areas across the country, started hosting their own events, said Circle Project executive director Ann Perry.
“In 1997, we actually did the first one in Regina because there wasn't anything going on here. And now several events are happening in the city.”
Although Regina’s National Indigenous Peoples Day celebration started out small, Perry said it drew a strong turnout.
“We really saw how the community came together, and it’s grown since then.”
On Friday, the city hosted the 29th annual event in Victoria Park, featuring vendors, dancers and artwork.
Event committee chair, Fawn Redwood, who is from Cowessess First Nation, said this event is all about history.
“Indigenous people have been here for millennia, as far as we know, and we want to, of course, remember that history, acknowledging the treaties and all the people involved in their contributions for what we have today within Canada and in Saskatchewan.”
For Redwood personally, she loves being able to share the event with the community.
“[To] see all the kids come out, all the happy faces, all the people involved to bring this together just fills my heart with a lot of happiness.”
Perry is hopeful the event can continue for years to come as it helps contribute to reconciliation.
