Released on June 1, 2018
The Royal Saskatchewan Museum (RSM) is celebrating National Indigenous History Month throughout the month of June including a celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the First Nations Gallery. Each week features a different theme including Film Week, Treaties Week, Tools and Technology Week and the Anniversary Celebration Week.
“The Royal Saskatchewan Museum has organized a fantastic lineup of events to recognize National Indigenous History Month,” Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Gene Makowsky said. “The events celebrate Saskatchewan’s rich Indigenous history and culture, and embrace contemporary issues. Inclusive and open to everyone, I hope the citizens of our province take the opportunity to gather, learn, participate and contribute to the spirit of reconciliation.”Film Week features two film nights on Tuesday, June 5 and Thursday, June 7 both from 7-9 p.m. On June 5, watch “Birth of a Family” and meet Betty Ann Adam whose Sixties Scoop family reunion is featured in this award-winning documentary. On June 7, watch “Reserve 107” and "From Up North" closing with a discussion featuring filmmakers Trudy Stewart and Janine Windolph and life speaker Noel Starblanket.
Treaty Week features two special evening events. Tuesday, June 12 from 7-9 p.m., guests can participate in the KAIROS Blanket Exercise where they will travel through 500+ years of shared history to better understand the nation-to-nation relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples of Canada. On Thursday, June 14 from 7-8 p.m. and 8-9 p.m., attendees can join Curator of Aboriginal Studies, Dr. Evelyn Siegfried, for a guided tour of the First Nations Gallery and listen to fascinating stories about the gallery’s development and the people behind its creation. Bannock with saskatoon jam and mint tea by Chef Dickie Yuzicapi, from Sioux Chef Catering, will be served at all evening events.
During Tools and Technology Week, June 15 is a School’s Out day. Families can drop in and explore traditional Indigenous toys and games like cup and pin games and button buzzers. Learn more about Indigenous contributions and inventions like snow goggles, obsidian knives and the original water bottles. Check out the June lobby display featuring these toys, tools and technology.
On June 19, several classrooms will join Holly Rae Yuzicapi, a Dakota Cultural Arts instructor, for “Introduction to Traditional Foods”. Participants will learn about the traditional gathering, preparing and processing of foods, compare traditional and modern day diets and have the chance to make a grocery store version of Pemmican.
Then on June 21, National Indigenous Peoples Day, the Saskatchewan Archaeology Society will be on location with archaeocaravan activities 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Guests can try their hand at atlatl throwing, Indigenous arts and much more.
The themed weeks lead up to the month’s major event, the celebration of the opening of the RSM’s First Nation’s Gallery – a groundbreaking achievement at the time. The 25th Anniversary of the gallery will be celebrated on Tuesday, June 26. From 1 to 4 p.m., the afternoon will feature world renowned hoopdancer, Terrance Littletent and the drum group, the Kawacatoose Boys from the Kawacatoose First Nation. The official program will include special guests, and a large anniversary cake made by Chef Dickie Yuzicapi will be served. Attendees can make their own painted medallion-style Buffalo parfleche necklace with the Buffalo People Arts Institute.
These events have been made possible through the support of Aboriginal Peoples Television Network, MBC Network Radio, the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority and the Friends of the Royal Saskatchewan Museum.
More information on the month’s programs and events can be found at www.royalsaskmuseum.ca or by calling 306-787-2815. Be sure to follow the RSM’s social media channels, including Facebook at www.facebook.com/Royal.Saskatchewan.Museum, Instagram at instagram.com/royalsaskmuseum and Twitter at twitter.com/royalsaskmuseum. The RSM, located at 2445 Albert Street, is open daily from 9:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. Admission is by donation.
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For more information, contact:
Jill Sveinson
Parks, Culture and Sport
Regina
Phone: 306-787-5781
Email: jill.sveinson@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-527-8152