North Battleford celebrates Aboriginal Day

Jun 22, 2017 | 11:09 AM

North Battleford celebrated Aboriginal Day with festive dance and song in downtown North Battleford on Wednesday.

C.J. Thunderspirit performed the chicken dance in full regalia with Chief Little Pine School dancers, as part of the event.

“It’s to imitate the chicken dance spirit in the powwow way,” said Thunderspirit. “This will be my fifth year in a row. I started at a young age. I’ve watched powwow dancing and started to really like it. So I decided I wanted to do that, too, myself. It’s fun meeting new people; there are good vibes when you go to powwow.

The troupe is currently performing around the local area. The day’s activities also included a free pancake breakfast and children’s games.

Young Indigenous band Boss of Three, from Cochin, also entertained.

Local Aboriginal Day activities were organized by Battle River Treaty 6 Health Centre and Battlefords Family Health Centre.

“We always anticipate up to 2,000 people, and I am quite sure we have exceeded that this year,” said Amanda Maunula, Battle River Treaty 6 Health Centre outreach worker, who is also one of the event committee organizers.  

Maunula said organizers were trying to set up a teepee for a display to show some Aboriginal teachings, but couldn’t manage to install the structure due to high winds.

Otherwise, she said, it was a great day for this year’s event, under mainly sunny skies.

The representative said Battle River Treaty 6 Health Centre, as an Aboriginal organization, is proud to host Aboriginal Day celebrations in North Battleford. 

The day started with a flag raising ceremony at City Hall.

“It’s a wonderful way to bring the community together and show they are supportive,” Maunula said.

 

angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW