National Aboriginal Day activities across province

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Each year, communities across Saskatchewan set June 21 aside for celebrating the contributions, traditions and culture of Aboriginal people. These are just some of the events being planned to celebrate National Aboriginal Day (NAD) in Saskatchewan this year.

In Regina, NAD celebrations are being held at the same time as Urban Treaty Days. NAD events will take place June 21, while Urban Treaty Days go June 20 and 21. The celebrations will be held in Wascana Park.

The event, entitled Gathering of all Generations: Keeping Traditions Alive, will feature a wide variety of activities and entertainers reflecting First Nations, Metis and Inuit traditions and culture.

First Nations powwow dancers, singers and hoop dancers are scheduled to perform during this year's NAD festivities. Metis dancers the Riel Reelers are also set to take to the stage, accompanied by fiddler Steven Burns. An Inuit drum group and dancers are also part of this year's planned activities, along with a comedy juggler and a magician.

Voyageur relay races will also be part of the NAD celebrations, with participants demonstrating their axe throwing, flour packing and milk can carrying skills. Those in attendance will also get a chance to learn more about a variety of sports, with lacrosse, football, volleyball, canoeing, kayaking and swimming being demonstrated.

A number of information booths will also be set up on site, including the All About Me child identification program, First Aid, the Four Directions Community Health Centre, SGI Traffic Safety, the Aboriginal Services Kiosk, and a booth with information about National Aboriginal Day.

Face painting, an arts and crafts sale, traditional and contemporary foods and fireworks round out the day's events.

For more information about NAD celebrations in Regina, call Lisa Nidosky at 780-6300.

In Saskatoon, National Aboriginal Day celebrations will be held in Kiwanis Park. Celebrations will begin at 1 p.m., with powwow dancers, hoop dancers, drummers and singers set to perform, along with Metis jiggers and a fiddler. Other northern entertainers will also perform,along with some local singers. A break dance demonstration and a fashion show are also part of the afternoon festivities, which are scheduled to wrap up at around 4:30 p.m.

More entertainment is planned for the evening, with the Wanuskewin dancers, Metis dancers, a fiddle player and square dancers all scheduled to perform.

For more information about celebrations in Saskatoon, call Kim Beaudin at 975-2652, or Joan Brownridge at 221-8618.

In Prince Albert, students from kindergarten up to Grade 5 at Queen Mary school will be celebrating National Aboriginal Day for the fourth year, although festivities this year will be less extensive than in past years. This year's activities will be classroom based, with Elders visiting the classes, and the students making traditional crafts. For more information, call principal Alan Nunn at 763-7672.

The Gravelbourg Renaissance Theatre in Gravelbourg will also be hosting National Aboriginal Day activities. Author Joy Desjarlais, who writes and illustrates children's books with text in both English and Cree, will be taking part in the celebrations. Desjarlais will be talking about her books, and will have a book signing as well.

Someone from the treaty commission will also be coming to Gravelbourg to take part in the celebrations, talking to schoolchildren about treaties in Saskatchewan.

Singer Glen Strong from Stony Rapids is scheduled to perform and Joan MacDonald, also from Stony Rapids, will talk about the Dene language and culture.