National Indigenous Peoples Day celebration in Medicine Hat highlights culture and reconciliation

“It’s really awesome to have it here. It’s been a journey when you look at where we started, even when I became mayor in 2021, this has come so far,” Clark said.

“And you listen to some of the community members, it’s really community-driven, and that’s the important thing,” she added.

“Then we all get to share in that journey and learn a bit more about Indigenous culture. So I’m very, very grateful that we were able to do it at City Hall.”

The event included jingle dancing by Josie Saddleback and Métis jigging by Aleigha Aaker, as well as recognition of the Blackfoot Confederacy, Métis Nation and Cree flags.

Following the formal program, attendees gathered around a teepee set up on the City Hall lawn, where drumming, dancing, crafting and refreshments continued throughout the afternoon.

Clark said the turnout reflected a growing interest in Indigenous culture and reconciliation efforts within the city.

“It’s incredible, you see the skill in the speakers, and in the dancers, and the drummers,” Clark said.

“It’s an amazing experience for me, but it’s also very heartwarming to see that we’re part of a bigger journey, and that our community is coming together to also be part of that journey.”

Calrk said she hopes the event demonstrates the city’s commitment to reconciliation and inclusion.

“That is my hope, and I think that having it at City Hall is emblematic of our commitment,” Clark said.

Among those addressing the crowd was Brenda Mercer, an Indigenous consultant with the Whitehorse Rider Teepee Project.

Mercer said the event is the result of years of collaboration and support from community members.

“I think where it starts is an idea, and then when other community members go, ‘how can I help,’ it just builds,” Mercer said.

“You get on this roll, and when we get together as a community, we’re actually holding space for one another [and] getting to know each other,” Mercer said.

During her remarks, Mercer shared aspects of her own heritage and spoke about the value of learning from the past.

“When you share cultures, you share your knowledge about what you know, where you came from, so I always tell people you need to know where you’re from to go forward, and I know that sounds backwards, but I truly believe it,” Mercer said.

“Every time I do some of these projects, it invites me further to dig more, and when I dig more, it gives me more pride and self-esteem.”

Mercer also said seeing Indigenous performers and families take part in the celebration was especially meaningful.

“This is fantastic, because this has never really been at City Hall, this is the third year,” Mercer said.

“We’ve had a big drum here, and I hope that we can have it in future years.”

The event concluded with informal activities around the teepee as residents continued conversations, shared food and took part in cultural demonstrations.

For organizers and participants alike, the gathering served as both a celebration of Indigenous cultures and an opportunity to build understanding among community members.

by Jett Schwaier

National Indigenous Peoples Day celebration in Medicine Hat highlights culture and reconciliation

Our Community