On Friday, there's lots of things going on at the Dauphin Friendship Centre to mark a special day: this year is the 30th anniversary of National Indigenous People's Day.
Jarri Thompson, Events Coordinator at the Dauphin Friendship Centre, went over a few of their events, and it's already shaping up to be a day full of learning and sharing cultures.
"Starting at 9:00 AM, we're going to be having a come-and-go tea with a 'The History of Indigenous Peoples' documentary playing in the background, there will be dainties, fresh bannock, coffee, tea, juice," said Thompson.
That's just one of the several events going on for the day. They also have entertainment, storytelling, dancing, and lots of fun things to make it a fun day. They're also having Red Road Compass with an indigenous display, and Thompson said his work is always very hands-on.
"You can touch [the display], he'll teach you about Indigenous medicines, about the items that you see on the table, Indigenous history, he's very knowledgeable, so if you have not met Shawn from Red Road Compass, come see him between 1:00 and 4:00 in the green space," said Thompson.
National Indigenous People's Day has only been recognized by the Federal Government for 30 years, but the culture and traditions that the day is designed to highlight have been around for much, much longer.
"Especially with recongiliation being a big thing right now, we are highlighting culture, highlighting our history, the resilience of Indigenous people, and not just highlighting the past, but bringing it back into present day and into the future, growing that culture we didn't have a chance to grow," said Thompson.
If you feel like helping out the Dauphin Friendship Centre either with their Indigenous People's Day celebrations, or other events in the future, they're always looking for more volunteers.
"They are what make us run. As a non-profit organization, we depend on as much volunteer work as we possibly get," said Thompson.
All across Canada, National Indigenous People's Day serves as a great way to further the spirit of reconciliation, and the fact that at the end of the day, we all live in the same place.
