An Aboriginal Day Celebration was held across Canada yesterday to honour our nation's first people.

The C.U.P.E. Local 5430 Region 4 organized a local event at Jubilee Park yesterday, with a free barbecue lunch provided by C.U.P.E. Saskatchewan.

Weyburn Mayor Marcel Roy kicked off the event.

“We respect and honour the treaties that were made on all territories,” said Mayor Roy. “We acknowledge the harms and mistakes of the past, and we are committing to move forward in partnerships with indigenous nations, in the spirit of reconciliation and collaboration.”

“Today is a celebration of the culture and heritage of indigenous people,” he said, noting that June 21 was chosen, when the Governor General declared the day in 1996, because of the summer solstice, the first day of summer and longest day of the year. Many aboriginal groups mark the date as a time to celebrate their heritage.

The Pheasant Rump Nakota First Nation dancers took the stage to perform, while there were various other activities taking place, including face-painting and balloons for children, faceless doll-making, and a number of free items up for grabs. On display were beadwork, a buffalo hide and a bear-skin rug. A tee-pee was also set up for the event to further celebrate aboriginal culture.

In a speech in 1996, declaring the day, the Governor General stated, "Many cities in Canada are less than a hundred years old. But aboriginal people have lived in this land for more than a hundred centuries. From coast to coast and in the Arctic, they first explored our lakes and rivers, they first mastered our forests and prairies, and they helped those who came later to join them. On June 21st, this year and every year, Canada will honour the native peoples who first brought humanity to this great land. And may the first peoples of our past always be full and proud partners in our future."