Sign up for the meadowlakeNOW newsletter

Flying Dust FN commemorates Treaty Day

Jun 23, 2017 | 5:00 PM

In honour of treaties signed to protect Indigenous land 139 years ago, Flying Dust First Nation – which is part of Treaty 6 territory – is hosting three days of family-based events for the community this weekend.

Organizer Carolyn Lachance said it took a committee of volunteers and staff members from Flying Dust about a month of planning and preparation. The celebrations are to honour the treaties between Indigenous communities and the federal government, as well as promote public awareness about Indigenous culture, history and heritage.

“For us, it’s about keeping the understanding of what the treaty is all about alive,” she said. “It is to pass on the knowledge to our younger people, because people in general don’t really hear a lot about the treaties themselves and what they mean.”

This year is the first time this commemoration has been stretched over three days, and Lachance said it is a transition to help prepare 140th anniversary. She said it was important to plan various activities that would encompass the whole family. Things started off today at noon where over 450 people were served a community feast.

“Tolko partially sponsored the meal, they gave us a donation of $1,000 which was really welcomed,” she said. “And, they sent out some employees who came and serviced our meal for us; that was a huge help. We have really strong business partners that are helping us out with these events.”

Activities include a five-person relay that also took place today. There will be hula hoop and egg tosses, live entertainment with local musicians and fireworks on Saturday, and horseshoe and card tournaments on Sunday.

“We wanted to make sure we had something for all the people to have fun,” she said. “Laughter is a really big part of the Indigenous culture, and it’s important to be able to laugh at yourself. With things like the relay, we have two canoe paddlers, one biker, one runner and one fire-starter. We try to keep traditional skills in our activities.”

Lachance said honouring the family unit is at the very heart of treaty day.

“First Nations people are very family based,” she said. “Extended family – first cousins are like brothers and sisters, uncles and aunts are like more parents, grandparents are very involved in raising kids. It’s important, especially in this day and age, that we keep the family unit strong and that we keep our communities strong, so that when things happen – good or bad – we can all pull together.”

She added that the chief and council of Flying Dust are very encouraging of events that include togetherness.

“[They] are very strong on community events, [and] community strength,” she said. “Events like this are really important to them.”

Flying Dust Chief Jeremy Norman said that another monumental occasion that took place as part of the festivities today was a Memorandum of Understanding that was signed with Waterhen First Nation.

“It is very symbolic,” he said. “It’s important for both our communities, it signifies that we’re working together when it comes to our traditional territory – it overlaps – so we’re going to work protect it together.”

He said is important for everyone to know the importance of celebrating treaty day.

“It’s a nation-to-nation event, that it’s not just Flying Dust. Yes, it’s about our partnership with the government, and we welcome everybody. ”

 

kathy.gallant@jpbg.ca  

On Twitter: @meadowlakenow