This year is the 5th annual Cultural Days celebration and honors not only northern Saskatchewan cultures but also other cultures as well.
“Our Elders advisory council tells us that it’s important for us as an institution to celebrate all cultures and give opportunities for knowledge exchange. That being said, for the college Cultural Days really heavily focuses on celebrating our Indigenous learners and their cultures,” explained Northlands College president and CEO, Karsten Henriksen.
The Cultural Days celebration will feature a range of activities such as moose-hide preparation, round dances, smudge ceremonies, and pipe ceremonies. There will also be special guest speakers, traditional food, children’s activities, and paddle-making sessions.
A highlight of this year’s celebration will be guest speaker Tomson Highway, OC, a renowned playwright, novelist, pianist, and songwriter. Highway is a very influential Indigenous writer, whose works explore critical issues affecting First Nations people, including residential schools, reserve life, and Indigenous identity.
Tickets for the evening with Tomson Highway will be available at the Canoe Campus in La Ronge. Tickets can be purchased with a donation of non-perishable food to the Northlands College Food Bank.
“The Cultural Days celebration is a vital occasion for us to honor and celebrate the Indigenous history and culture that enriches Northern Saskatchewan. This event is not only a celebration of our heritage but also a powerful way to promote inclusivity and diversity among the many cultures that call our region home. We are especially pleased to host Tomson Highway, a Canadian legend, whose presence is a true honor for our community. His wisdom and experiences are invaluable, and we are grateful for the opportunity to learn from him.” said Henriksen.
The Cultural Days celebrations will be held at Northland Colleges Canoe Campus from September 24 to 25.