A free event that’s open to the public will be held at the Moose Jaw Events Centre on Friday, June 21. 

The City of Moose Jaw and Holy Trinity Catholic School Division are teaming up to host the MJ Co-op National Indigenous People’s Day event from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. 

Hayley Hart-Rushinko, acting manager of communications and stakeholder relations for the City of Moose Jaw, said the need to expand the event to everyone was determined last year when 800 students were hosted at the Moose Jaw Cultural Centre.  

She spoke about a conversation she had that day with Vivian Gauvin, coordinator of student services with Holy Trinity Catholic School Division.  “We talked to each other about how there were so many people that had reach out to either of us and said ‘where can we go today? There’s nothing going on; there’s nothing for the public, what do we do?’” 

“We looked at each other, and just said, ‘you know what, this event’s been going on for so many years. Let’s take it one notch higher, and offer it to the entire city, and let’s do it for free.” 

Moose Jaw Co-op is the title sponsor this year. 

Hart-Rushinko said events this year include tipi teachings with Elder Archie Weenie, a discussion on boys with braids, an explanation on ribbon skirts, Métis jigging, and hoop dancing with Terrance Littletent among others.  

“We have explanations and performances of all the different kinds of powwow dancing so when we have powwows here – people travel to them – they have a better understanding of what those individuals are trying to portray as they’re dancing, and what it means to them to be able to do that.” 

Local school divisions will be bringing students to participate in the events, and concessions will be open. People will be free to come and go during the whole day.  

“We just want everyone to come out and learn and be excited, and honestly, just be a part of National Indigenous Peoples’ Day.”