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
Two-Spirit Pride Festival
Beardy’s & Okemasis Cree Nation
June 15
This fourth annual festival includes a flag-raising, parade, a lunch and learn session and more. Presented in partnership with OutSaskatoon. bofn9697.com
Regina Urban Treaty Days
June 19–21
This three-day event is presented by Regina Treaty/Status Indian Services Inc., and will be held at The Gathering Place (4001 3rd Ave. N.). “Celebrating the Beauty & Resilience of Indigenous Women” is the theme, and the event includes a variety of family-friendly activities and competitions along with community breakfasts and BBQs, an arts and craft show and more. 306-522-7494
Solstice On the South Saskatchewan
June 21–23
This three-day festival is presented in partnership with One Arrow First Nation at the band’s rodeo grounds, and includes music, art and culture. solsask.com
National Indigenous Peoples Day • June 21
Batoche National Historic Site
Family-friendly day of activities to celebrate traditional and contemporary First Nations and Métis culture. pc.gc.ca/batoche
Victoria Park
Co-presented by City of Regina, Regina Public Library and other community partners, this celebration runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and features Indigenous entertainment, crafters/artisans and children’s activities. regina.ca
Indigenous Art & Craft Fair
Casino Regina
The event runs noon–6 p.m., and features over 25 Saskatchewan artists and artisans along with live music and dance performances, traditional games and free bannock and bullet soup while supplies last. casinoregina.com
Government House
Government House is the official residence of Saskatchewan’s Lt. Governor. This NIPD event includes a blessing ceremony by an Indigenous elder, planting of sacred tobacco seeds and more. governmenthousesk.ca
Royal Saskatchewan Museum
To celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day, the museum is partnering with the Saskatchewan Archaeology Society to produce a day of programming that commemorates the history and culture of Indigenous people in Saskatchewan. royalsaskmuseum.ca
[Update]Regina Smudge Walk
June 28
This event to promote community spirit in north-central Regina opens with men’s and women’s pipe ceremonies at 8 a.m. The walk starts at Dewdney Pool Park at 10:30 a.m., and will be followed by a post-walk BBQ and entertainment at noon.
Gordon First Nation Pow Wow
June 28–30306-835-2232
Muskeg Lake Cree Nation Pow Wow
June 28–30
muskeglake.com
Métis Connection
Grasslands National Park
July 1 – Sep. 2
Each Wednesday afternoon at 1 p.m. throughout the summer the national park is hosting an afternoon of storytelling, music, art and more that explores the special connection of Métis people to the land. pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/sk/grasslands
Red Pheasant Cree Nation Pow Wow
July 2–4
batc.ca/red_pheasant
Mistawasis Néhiyawak Traditional Pow Wow
July 2–4
mistawasis.ca
Beardy’s & Okemasis First Nation Pow Wow
July 5–7
bofn9697.com
Lakota Connection
Grasslands National Park
July 5 – Aug. 30
Each Friday afternoon at 1 p.m. throughout the summer the national park is hosting an afternoon of storytelling and art-making with artist Kim Soo Goodtrack that celebrates Lakota culture and history. pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/sk/grasslands
Louis Riel Relay & Kidfest
Batoche National Historic Site
July 6
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, live entertainment, a pie-eating contest and more. louisrielrelaydays.com
Kahkewistahaw Competition Pow Wow
July 9–11
kfn72.com
James Smith Cree Nation Pow Wow
July 12–14
jamessmithcreenation.com
Yellow Quill Traditional Pow Wow
July 12–14
yqfn.ca
Tony Cote Summer Games
July 14–19
This event features Indigenous athletes from across Saskatchewan, and is being hosted by the Flying Dust First Nation near Meadow Lake. In addition to competition in archery, athletics, canoeing, softball, golf and tennis, there is a trade show and an Indigenous cultural celebration. tonycotegames.ca
Back to Batoche Days
July 18–21
This annual 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 19–21
cpcaracing.com
Carry The Kettle First Nation Pow Wow
July 19–21
cegakin.com
Onion Lake Cree Nation Pow Wow
July 19–21
onionlake.ca
One Arrow First Nation Pow Wow
July 20–21
306-423-5900
Zagime Anishinabek Competition Pow Wow
July 21–23
306-697-2831
Canadian Pro Chuckwagon Races
Poundmaker Cree Nation
July 25–28
cpcaracing.com
TATC Pow Wow Celebration
July 30–Aug. 1
This pow wow is hosted by Touchwood Agency Tribal Council, and is held at the Kawacatoose First Nation pow wow grounds.
Muskoday First Nation Traditional Pow Wow
Aug. 2–4
muskodayfn.ca
Poundmaker Storytellers Festival
Cut Knife
Aug. 6–8
Chief Poundmaker, as most people hopefully know, recently had a treason conviction from the 1885 Northwest Resistance erased by the federal government. This festival is being presented by Miyawata Culture Inc. at Poundmaker Cree First Nation. It includes storytelling, live performances and other cultural celebrations by local, provincial and international Indigenous artists.
Pasqua First Nation Traditional Pow Wow
Aug. 7–8
pasqfn.ca
John Arcand Fiddle Fest
Aug. 8–11
This fiddle festival at Windy Acres near Saskatoon includes workshops, concerts, old tyme dances, Métis dance and cultural activities and children’s programming. There’s free unserviced camping on site, and both weekend and day passes are available with kids 12 and under admitted gratis when accompanied by a parent/guardian. johnarcandfiddlefest.com
Standing Buffalo First Nation Pow Wow
Aug. 9–11
fhqtc.com
Canadian Pro Chuckwagon Races
Turtleford
Aug. 9–11
cpcaracing.com
Canadian Pro Chuckwagon Races
Lloydminster
Aug. 14–18
cpcaracing.com
Piapot Traditional Pow Wow
Aug. 16–18
306-781-4848
Pheasant Rump Nakota First Nation Pow Wow
Aug. 16–19
306-462-2002
Mosquito First Nation Pow Wow
Aug. 20–22
batc.ca
Ochapowace Cree Nation Pow Wow
Aug. 23–25
ochapowace.com
Thundering Hills Pow Wow
Aug. 27–29
306-662-3660
Flying Dust First Nation Pow Wow
Aug. 30 – Sep. 1
This annual pow wow marks the end of the 2019 outdoor pow wow season in Saskatchewan. flyingdust.net