Photo: The memorial aligns with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Call to Action #82. / Nicole Goldsworthy, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, SaskToday.ca
By: Nicole Goldsworthy,
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter,
SASKTODAY.ca
James Smith Cree Nation is inviting members, families and visitors to come together for four days of ceremony, healing, traditional teachings and community activities at its Cultural Gathering from Sept. 30 to Oct. 3.
The gathering begins on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and will be held at the community’s Cultural Grounds. Camp setup is scheduled for Sept. 29.
Organizers said the gathering is intended to bring people together through culture, ceremony, healing, traditional teachings, activities, food and community connection. Everyone is welcome to attend.
According to the James Smith Cree Nation Cultural Gathering announcement, special activities are planned for Sept. 30 to honour residential school survivors and remember those who never made it home.
The Sept. 30 program includes a pipe ceremony, welcoming remarks, orange shirt distribution and a memorial smudge walk, along with cedar baths, traditional healing, hide tanning, art therapy and a sweat lodge ceremony. Cree Elders bingo, community contests and hand drumming around the fire are also planned.
Cultural, wellness and traditional activities continue throughout the four-day gathering, including pipe and sweat lodge ceremonies, cedar baths, traditional healing, energy balance and Reiki, massage therapy, sharing circles, hide tanning, wagon rides, art therapy, tipi teachings and naming ceremonies.
Guest speaker Tala Tootoosis is scheduled to take part Oct. 1 and 2. The program also includes ribbon skirt and medicine pouch workshops, hand drum and big drum demonstrations, children’s activities, a rattle workshop and traditional food and outdoor cooking demonstrations.
Other events throughout the gathering include a fish fry supper, Shake Tent Ceremony and Moon Ceremony. Community contests include a Big Auntie Earring Contest, reusable-bag costume contest, fastest potato peeler, longest braid, potato dance, fastest French braider and best-tasting bannock.
The gathering concludes Oct. 3 with additional cultural and healing activities, Cree nutrition and merchandise bingo and a community feast and giveaway. A complete schedule of events, activities and ceremonies can be found here.
The James Smith Cree Nation gathering is among activities taking place as communities across Saskatchewan mark Sept. 30.
The Office of the Treaty Commissioner lists a number of events associated with the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, including an Orange Shirt Day Run/Walk in Saskatoon, an Orange Shirt Day commemoration and Honour Walk in Regina, and a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation gathering at Wanuskewin Heritage Park.
The Office of the Treaty Commissioner also maintains an online calendar with information about upcoming events in Saskatchewan.