National Indigenous Peoples Day is June 21st and in Cochrane, it’s for everyone, not just the Indigenous community.
Ininew Friendship Centre health outreach worker Melody McComb-Uiselt says all the activities are centered around the Commando Pavilion, beginning with a sunrise ceremony, the lighting of the Sacred Fire and a breakfast, leading into a day full of activities.
Local schools as well as some from Iroquois Falls and Smooth Rock Falls will participate. McComb-Uiselt says they will play indigenous games, and attend a lacrosse workshop.
“Lacrosse isn’t big up North here. It’s more in Southern Ontario,” she observes. “So to try and bring something like that to the North would be great.”
McComb-Uiselt says National Indigenous Peoples Day is important in light of reconciliation and the discovery of residential school graves.
“It’s not really discovery. You know, people always knew they were there. Now they’re proving they’re there” she states. “So they’re making things right to bring these children back to their home communities and showing them the respect they deserve.”
A complete schedule for the day is on the Ininew Friendship Centre’s website and Facebook page.