'This is the day to celebrate our resilience': Buffalo Day honours Indigenous culture in Regina
Instead of the typical red and white usually donned on Canada Day, orange shirts filled the lawn of Buffalo Meadows Park in Regina as dozens gathered to celebrate Buffalo Day.
Indigenous leaders from the Buffalo People Arts Institute hosted the event in lieu of Canada Day celebrations.
"Let's celebrate the day, but celebrate the land, the community the children, and let's call it Buffalo Day. Because before all these buildings were here for the city, this was prime buffalo land,” said Joely Bigeagle-Kequahtooway, organizer for Buffalo Day. “This is the day to celebrate our resilience and our connection or reconnection to that the Tonka spirit."
The day focused on learning about the history of the buffalo and the impacts of the residential schools.
While organizers were happy to see people of all backgrounds at the celebration, they hope the conversation will continue.
"When we talk about Truth and Reconciliation, I think there are so many people who still aren't yet at the truth,” Bigeagle-Kequahtooway said. “There's a big education component that we need to figure out how we're going to share, especially with the discovery of children's bodies…I mean that's when you start to really think about the truth of that, you know it is horrific.”
Along with storytelling from Elders and street painting, a traditional pow wow was held.
Organizers said they hope this type of celebration can help bridge the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, while creating allies for their community.
"For the kids out here, when they see other folks – other than Indigenous people – putting in work to make this stuff happen. It just is so impactful for those kids…I think that's what builds community,” said Kevin Wesaquate, a painter and storyteller at the event.
Other events scheduled to take place in Regina Thursday include a smudge walk at the First Nations University of Canada and a candlelight vigil at the Legislative Building.
--
If you are a residential school survivor in distress, or have been affected by the residential school system and need help, you can contact the 24-hour Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line: 1-866-925-4419
Additional mental-health support and resources for Indigenous people are available here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.