National Indigenous People’s Day was celebrated at Government’s House Friday.
The day was highlighted with the planting of two tobacco plants on the property to show respect to the tradition tobacco carries in first nations culture.
Elmer Eashappie said the planting of tobacco shows respect to first nations beliefs.
“(Friday) marks a really important day for the government now to take that proactive initiative and to recognize indigenous people.”
Minister responsible for the provincial capital commission Ken Cheveldayoff said says indigenous people were the first residents of Saskatchewan.
“They welcomed us and they continue to contribute so much to our province,” Cheveldayoff said. “It is important to take a day to reflect on the history, the very vibrant history and the future, and it is a very exciting future for aboriginal people and all indigenous people in the province.”
Cheveldayoff said it’s important to follow and encorporate the calls to action for truth and reconciliation.
“One of the most vital things we’re doing is teaching treaty education in our schools, and wanting to that,” Cheveldayoff said. “We’re seeing some good results on the global scale as well, as far as indigenous and aboriginal people and their graduation rates for example, (they’re) doing very, very well in the province.”
First celebrated in Canada in 1996 National Indigenous People’s Day has been celebrated at Government House for the last two years in Regina.
