The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is Thursday, September 30th and in the lead up to the day, Wanuskewin is hosting three events including several on the 30th.

Honey Constant, the community coordinator with Wanuskewin says Wednesday (tonight) at the Broadway Theatre, they’ll be hosting a free screening of the film “Indian Horse”. Constant says the film follows a young man named Saul Indian Horse and his journey through the residential school system.

Following the film, there will be a panel discussion with those from STR8 UP and Prairie Harm Reduction about how trauma is on-going but how is the community healing from it. Then on Saturday there will be a community gathering and Indigenous Artisan Market at the Wanuskewin Heritage Park.

Constant says there will be bison walks and Dr. Ernie Walker from the University of Saskatchewan will be there to do an archaeology walk through the valley. There will also be a birch bark basket making workshop.

On Tuesday the 28th, the Saskatoon Public Library and Wanuskewin will do an online reading of the Children’s book “Stolen Words” via ZOOM. Constant says the the book is about reclaiming language. That event gets underway at 1 o’clock.

Then on the 30th, there will be a tipi raising ceremony along with a native plant walk. Thursday the 30th will mark the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation observed as a statutory holiday in Canada. Below is the list of events happening on the 30th at Wanuskewin…

Events throughout the day include:

10:00 am – Opening Remarks and Words of Reflection (Plaza Entrance)
11:00 am – History of this land – Archaeology Walk with Chief Archaeologist and Founding Board Member Dr. E. Walker (Trails)
11:00 am – Truth and Reconciliation Discussion with TJ Warren (Amphitheatre)
11:30 am – Tipi Raising with Elder Mary Lee and Honey Constant (Circle Area)
*12:15 pm – Keynote Presentation – Truth of Intergenerational Trauma and Surviving the Systems with Owen Pelletier (Amphitheatre)
1:15 pm – Performance by Raven Reid: Singer/Songwriter, Poet, and Indigenous Advocate (Ampitheatre)
12:30 pm – Bison Kinship Walk – Reconciling land and spirit with Dr. E. Walker (Trails)
*2:00 pm – Honour Gathering for Survivors, families, and those who never made it home. Prayer led by Elder Mary Lee, Honour Song by Marc Longjohn, followed by a moment of silence (Amphitheatre)
3:00 pm – Native Plant Walk with Kalyne Johnson (Trails)
*3:00 pm – “In Memorial” Performance by Curtis Peeteetuce (Amphitheatre)
3:00 pm – History of Wanuskewin and the Road to UNESCO with Dr. E. Walker (Story Circle)
3:00 pm – Language Reclamation in the face of Intergenerational Trauma with Cree Autumn Sunrise Longjohn  (Tipi Village)
3:30 pm – Men’s Prairie Chicken Dance Presentation with TJ Warren (Amphitheatre)
*Parental discretion is advised. Discussions related to trauma, systems, and personal experiences.

Toy Drive: Bring new or lightly used teddies, stuffed animals, or plushy for donation to local community homes, groups, and organizations
The importance of a good meal – Lunch provided by Chef Jenni Lessard (Tipi Village)
Drop in Theatre (Artist in Residence)
Plant Knowledge with Ethnobotanist Sandra Walker (Trails)
Beading Demonstration with Gallery Curator Olivia Kristoff (Main Hall)