National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21 is always a highlight, but it’s far from the only celebration of Indigenous culture and community that’s happening in Saskatchewan this summer. Hopefully the weather cooperates for all the outdoor events, and everyone has a great time. /Gregory Beatty
National Indigenous Peoples Day June 21
Batoche National Historic Site
A full day of family-friendly activities at this national historical site to celebrate traditional and contemporary First Nations and Métis culture. pc.gc.ca/batoche
Victoria Park
Co-presented by City of Regina and several community partners, this celebration runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and features Indigenous entertainment, crafters/artisans, information booths and children’s activities.
Grassick Park
Hosted by Circle Project, Indigenous Christian Fellowship and REACH this celebration runs from 2:30–9 p.m. It features drum and dance demonstrations, a tipi, traditional cultural teachings, family activities, a BBQ and Battle of the Bands. circleproject.ca
Indigenous Art & Craft Fair
Casino Regina
The event runs 1–8 p.m., and features over 25 Saskatchewan artists and artisans. In the show lounge, there’s music and dance performances by Charging Bear, Creeland Dancers, Dallas & Phil Boyer (Métis fiddling) and Bronson Haywahe (flute). There’s also free bannock and bullet soup while supplies last. casinoregina.com
Royal Saskatchewan Museum
To celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day, the museum is partnering with Saskatchewan Archaeology Society to let people try atlatl throwing and other activities in its “archaeocaravan”. The event runs 10 a.m.to 3 p.m. royalsaskmuseum.ca
National Indigenous History Month
Regina • June 7–26
Highlights include two documentaries Reserve 107 and From Up North with a post-screening discussion with Trudy Stewart, Janine Windolph and Noel Starblanket (June 7, 7 p.m.); tours of the First Nations gallery with Royal Saskatchewan Museum curator Evelyn Siegfried (June 14, 7 and 8 p.m.); and a 25th anniversary celebration of the gallery with hoop dancer Terrance Littletent and Kawacatoose Boys drum group (June 26, 1–4 p.m.) royalsaskmuseum.ca
Resilience
Saskatchewan & Beyond • June 7–Aug. 1
This project features dozens of digital billboards in many locations across Canada which will display work by 50 Indigenous women artists. The project is curated by Lee-Ann Martin, and critiques the lack of visibility of Indigenous women in our society. Participating artists include Rebecca Belmore, Daphne Odjig, KC Adams, Ruth Cuthand, Lori Blondeau and Shelley Niro. resilienceproject.ca
Two-Spirit Pride Festival
Beardy’s & Okemasis Cree Nation • June 15
This third annual festival includes a flag-raising, parade, a lunch and learn session, and a screening of To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar. bofn9697.com
Rejoining The Circle
Saskatoon • June 16
This pow wow celebrates the presence of two-spirited people in Indigenous society. It’s hosted by OutSaskatoon at University of Saskatchewan Bowl with grand entry at noon. outsaskatoon.ca/Pow Wow
Golf Tournament Fundraiser
Saskatoon • June 22
This tournament is at Dakota Dunes Golf & Country Club and is a fundraiser for the Saskatchewan First Nation Summer Games in 2019. 306-240-7893
Sakimay First Nation Pow Wow
June 22–24 • 306-730-0319
Canadian Pro Chuckwagon Races
Onion Lake First Nation • June 22–July 1
Races are on a five-eighth mile track with a covered grandstand. At stake is some serious prize money. cpcaracing.com
Medicine Walk
Saskatoon • June 27
This event is being held at Wanuskewin Heritage Park as part of #callresponse which is being co-presented with AKA Artist-Run Centre. Start time is 10:30 a.m. wanuskewin.com
Gordon First Nation Pow Wow
June 29–July 1 • georgegordonfirstnation.com
Muskeg Lake Veteran’s Memorial Pow Wow
June 30–July 1 • muskeglake.com
Canada Day
Batoche National Historic Site • July 1
A full day of family-friendly activities to celebrate Canada Day with costumed guides, tours and special exhibits on the 1885 Northwest Resistance. pc.gc.ca/batoche
Red Pheasant Cree Nation Pow Wow
July 3–5 • batc.ca/red_pheasant/
Louis Riel Relay & Kidfest
Batoche National Historic Site • July 7
Selected by Louis Riel as the site of a provisional government in 1885, Batoche was also where the last battle in the Northwest Resistance occurred. This event includes recreational and competitive relays, archery and canoe lessons and a petting zoo. trailsof1885.com
James Smith Cree Nation Pow Wow
Fort a la Corne • July 13–15 jamessmithcreenation.com
Kahkewistahaw Pow Wow
July 13–15 • kfn72.com
Traditional Pow Wow
Moose Jaw • June 16
This pow wow is at Wakimaw Valley Kiwanis River Park
File Hills Qu’Appelle Tribal Council: Golf Tournament
July 19
Proceeds from this tournament at Deer Valley Golf Club go to a Women and Trades Scholarship Fund to support training and employment opportunities for Indigenous women. fhqtc.com
Back to Batoche Days
July 19–22
This celebration of Métis culture is at Batoche National Historic Site and nearby festival grounds. It includes traditional games and entertainment from fiddling and jigging to square-dancing, an art and craft show, and chuckwagon and chariot races. pc.gc.ca/en/lhn-nhs/sk/batoche
Canadian Pro Chuckwagon Races
Little Pine First Nation • July 19–22 cpcaracing.com
Carry-the-Kettle First Nation Pow Wow
July 20–22 • 306-727-2135
Onion Lake Cree Nation Pow Wow
July 20–22 • onionlake.ca
One Arrow First Nation Pow Wow
July 21–22 • 306-423-5900
Thunderchild First Nations Pow Wow
July 27–29 • thunderchild.ca
Canadian Pro Chuckwagon Races
Poundmaker Cree Nation • July 27–29 cpcaracing.com
Beardy’s & Okemasis First Nation Pow Wow
July 27–29 • bofn9697.com
Muskoday First Nation Traditional Pow Wow
Aug. 4–5 • muskodayfn.ca
World Junior Lacrosse Championship
Saskatoon • Aug. 8–12
Features a three-game round robin at SaskTel Centre between teams representing Canada, the United States and Iroquois followed by a championship final. According to organizers, this is the first time the tournament has been held outside Haudenosaunee territory. sasktelcentre.com
Waterhen Lake First Nation Traditional Pow Wow
Aug. 10–12 mltc.ca/waterhen-lake-first-nation.php
Standing Buffalo First Nation Pow Wow
Aug. 10–12 • fhqtc.com
Canadian Pro Chuckwagon Races
Turtleford • Aug. 10–12 • cpcaracing.com
Canadian Pro Chuckwagon Races
Lloydminster • Aug. 15–17 • cpcaracing.com
Ochapowace Cree Nation Pow Wow
Aug. 24–26 • ochapowace.com
Flying Dust First Nation Pow Wow
Sept. 1–2 • flyingdust.net
Treaty Four Gathering
Sept. 10–16
This annual gathering is held in Fort Qu’Appelle and surrounding area, and includes a pow wow and a three-day session from Sept. 11–13 on the role of culture and language in spiritual life. fhqtc.com