It was a full house at the Heritage Inn in Moose Jaw on Monday morning as local residents, dignitaries and special guests celebrated the official kick off to Atamiskakewak 2018. 

Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan W.Thomas Molloy addressing the crowd at the Atamiskakewak Opening Ceremony Monday morning.

The opening ceremonies featured a number of guest speakers who stepped up to the podium to express their appreciation for the city's welcoming atmosphere, and they urged those in attendance to participate in as many events as possible this week. That included newly appointed W. Thomas Molloy, the Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan and Warren Kaeding, Minister of Government Relations, Minister responsible for First Nations, Metis and Northern Affairs, the Mayor of Moose Jaw, Fraser Tolmie and many others. 

Elder Noel Starblanket spoke to those in attendance and will be heavily involved in this week's events, focusing on sharing knowledge with youth. 

"I've come to different events here in the city of Moose Jaw," said Elder Starblanket. "When they advised me that I would be attending this event and go[ing] to the schools, I jumped at the opportunity to educate students [in] both elementary and high schools." 

Some of the information he plans to share with local children is walking the talk - that having discussions is important, but we can all be taking steps forward. 

"I've observed how people love to talk- they'll talk, talk, talk about reconciliation. I constantly admonish them to remember the words of Mr.Justice Sinclair, now Senator Sinclair, that the 94 recommendations are calls to action... they're not calls to talking. I tell people, pick one of those calls to action and do something about it."

That being said, Elder Starblanket made sure to mention the current reconciliation that he's witnessed taking place in the Queen City. 

"For the education system to give back the language, culture and spirituality to the Indigenous people. I have non-Indigenous teachers who are teaching the Cree language in the city of Regina in their schools. Teachers whose first language is English - now that to me is reconciliation."

Click here to see the full schedule and to register for the various events this week.