Brenda Mercer recieved permission to create her own meaningful designs for a teepee she built and set up at the National Indigenous Peoples Day ceremony on June 20, 2025. Eli J. Ridder/CHAT News

By Eli J. Ridder

IN THE COMMUNITY

Teepee set up as tangible part of National Indigenous Peoples Day celebration

Jun 20, 2025 | 5:20 PM

Medicine Hat’s National Indigenous People’s Day celebration this year featured a new physical element.

Indigenous advocate and educator Brenda Mercer has for years wanted to build her own teepee, a symbol of history and culture.

In April, work began — a group effort with her friends and members of the community that involved ordering fabric material from India and acquiring permission to cut trees down in nearby Elkwater.

It took hours of sewing, cutting and design but Mercer was able to finally accomplish her dream of creating a teepee she says is not for her but for the community to share in.

Mercer, with help from the city, was able to bring the teepee and set up on the front lawn of city hall as a tangible, interactive element of First Nations culture.

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That teepee is adorned with buffalo representing her Standing Buffalo Nation heritage and horses to reflect her name.

Traditionally, the designs and colours on a teepee are passed on from generation to generation but, as a Sixties Scoop “thriver”, Mercer said she received permission from local Elder Charlie Fox to use the buffalo and horse symbols important to her.

“Being able to touch it is really important to see the work that goes into it,” said Mercer as she pointed out how the teepee’s fabric and wood elements were assembled.

People had the opportunity to go inside the teepee and participate in a drum circle with the aim of creating a sense of community and appreciation.

Mercer said it was created with care for this very purpose.

“How you take care with love and intention and everything is so important,” she said.

“I would never bead or do anything — make drums, rattles — if I was angry or upset because I believe that goes into the work,” Mercer explained.

“So the whole thing is made with love and good intention by people that wanted to be a part of this.”

That theme permeated through the annual Indigenous ceremony at city hall Friday — taking place a day before the actual June 21 date for National Indigenous Peoples Day.

Drumming and singing were a part of the National Indigenous Peoples Day ceremony at Medicine Hat City Hall on June 20, 2025. Eli J. Ridder/CHAT News

Elder Fox, who leads the Kainai Sacred Horn Society and is a member of the Blood Tribe, lead a smudging ceremony as he pointed out the importance for such a day existing after the Canadian government’s mistreatment of Indigenous Peoples.

“I just want to express my gratitude for recognizing our people. The National Indigenous Peoples Day is unheard of in the past,” Fox said to about 100 dignitaries, community leaders and residents gathered inside city hall’s Helen Beny Lounge.

“To celebrate it today makes my heart soar. It’s a good feeling, I’m eternally grateful for that.”

Coun. Shila Sharps, speaking on behalf of Medicine Hat’s city council, said she was surprised to learn through her preparation for the ceremony that National Indigenous Peoples Day was first celebrated only 29 years ago in 1996.

“It’s a start, not where we need to be, but a start,” Sharps said off the cuff.

Sharps in her prepared remarks said the day serves as a reminder of the rich culture, languages and multi-generational history of First Nations in Medicine Hat and across Canada.

Coun. Shila Sharps said she was surprised to find out how recently National Indigenous Peoples Day first started. Eli J. Ridder/CHAT News

“It’s a day for all communities to recognize an enduring history and resilience of Indigenous communities and to celebrate their significant role in shaping our country,” Sharp said.

She added that “reconciliation should not be a destination but a continuous journey that we must continue on together, guided by humility, honesty and purpose.”

“It calls on us to face the truths of our history, our actions and our history while prioritizing Indigenous voices as we continue to shape the future.”

After additional speeches from Police Chief Alan Murphy and Mayor Linnsie Clark and a traditional dance performed by three young dancers, a flag-raising took place in front of city hall.

As for Mercer’s teepee, she sees it as a success and already has plans to bring it to other events.

But, she’ll need help to move and maintain it — a challenge she approaches through the community-first effort that has been the focus all along.

“I don’t go around and say I want this or I want that demanding, I just go ‘hmm I wonder if we could’ and then you kind of just talk to people in a gentle way,” she said.

“It took a long time to get to where we are now, it’s going to take a bit of time to get where we want to be — not only with Indigenous culture, but other cultures of our city.”