Annual Events
Indigenous Peoples Day (June 21)
June 21 has been recognized annually as National Indigenous Peoples Day (formerly National Aboriginal Day) since 1996. For generations, many Indigenous communities have celebrated their culture and heritage on or near this day due to the significance of the Summer Solstice as the longest day of the year. This is a day to recognize and celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures, and outstanding contributions of Indigenous people.
The City of Saskatoon contributes to the Saskatoon Indian & Métis Friendship Centre's Indigenous Peoples Day Community Celebration in Victoria Park on June 21. This event is free and open to all. The City also co-hosts the annual Rock Your Roots Walk for Reconciliation.
Rock Your Roots Walk for Reconciliation
The City of Saskatoon, in its role as Co-Chair of Reconciliation Saskatoon, helps organize the annual Rock Your Roots Walk for Reconciliation. The significance of a walk can be attributed to the Sunday walks in residential schools; often the only time when siblings and cousins might be reunited. The significance of "rock your roots" is about celebrating your culture and heritage.
Rock Your Roots has been an annual event in Saskatoon since 2016. It's a chance for all Saskatoon residents to answer the TRC Calls to Action by demonstrating their commitment to Reconciliation, honouring Residential School Survivors, and working towards an inclusive community.
Walkers are encouraged to wear an Every Child Matters orange shirt. Cultural performers from our community 'rock their roots' along the route to show their support and celebrate Saskatoon's incredible diversity.
VIDEO: Building the Rock Your Roots Walk for Reconciliation
VIDEO: History of Rock Your Roots
Rock Your Roots 2024
After two years of taking place on Sept. 30, the walk will return to its original home on National Indigenous Peoples Day in 2024.
The Residential School Survivors that direct the walk unanimously agreed to move the Rock Your Roots Walk for Reconciliation back to June 21 so that (1) organizers, participants and Survivors could have more engagement with students and school divisions (Sept. 30 is now a day off school), and (2) to support the many other events and initiatives that are now occurring on September 30—National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
To join the Organizing Committee for the Rock Your Roots Walk for Reconciliation, please email beaconnectr@gmail.com.
Event participants
Rock Your Roots is open to all and is family-friendly. Participants are invited to wear an EveryChildMatters orange shirt or to "rock their roots" and wear their traditional cultural clothing. Workplaces and organizations are encouraged to send a team and to consider showcasing their organization’s support by carrying a banner during the walk.
In recent years, the walk has started at the Central Urban Métis Federation Inc. or CUMFI (315 Ave M S) and ended at the “Where Our Paths Cross” Reconciliation Circle art installation in Victoria Park (across the road from 422 Spadina Cres W). Following the walk, a short program is held in the park.
Indigenous History Month (June)
In June, a number of events are held and resources made available so as to honour and learn from Indigenous Peoples.
June Calendar of Events
2024
May 31 | Reconciliation Flag Raising & Gathering |
City co-chaired Reconciliation Saskatoon hosts a community gathering to raise the Reconciliation Flag towards the end of every May. This sets set the stage for the season of commemoration/reflection that is June (National Indigenous History Month). The 2024 event will be held on May 31 in Civic Square (City Hall lawn off 23rd St E). The program includes: remarks from dignitaries, performances by Indigenous artists, raising of the flag. All are welcome. The flag remains raised for one week. |
JUNE | Reconciliation Walking Tour |
Indigenous History Month is the perfect time to visit places around Saskatoon that speak to the process of Reconciliation including public art installations, sites of historical significance, renaming initiatives, and unique Indigenous and non-Indigenous partnerships. More info and Walking Tour Booklet available here. |
JUNE | Read for Reconciliation |
Make a commitment to Read for Reconciliation by accessing suggested materials through the local branch of your Saskatoon Public Library. The SPL website has an Indigenous History Month recommended reads! |
JUNE |
Explore BeAConnectR.org Website - Resources for Reconciliation |
Reconciliation Saskatoon's BeAConnectR website helps you choose your next steps towards reconciliation. Find calls to action to grow what you know, encourage a shared future, and generate change. Link here. |
JUNE | Art Exhibitions (various) |
Remai Modern and Wanuskewin Heritage Place offer Indigenous art exhibitions during the month of June. Inquire directly to confirm details. |
JUNE | Daily Programming at Wanuskewin |
Open 7 days a week, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Annual offerings in the month of June include: performances, nature walks, exhibits and videos, award winning playground. NOTE: Programs are adjusted for weather including rain and wind. Call the main line at 306-931-6767 Ext. 9 to confirm the day's schedule. |
June 5-8 | Ācimowin (Storytelling) Indigenous Film Festival |
The inaugural Ācimowin (Storytelling) Film Festival will take place in Saskatoon June 5-8, 2024 at the Remai Modern, Roxy Theatre, and Broadway Theatre. This festival is dedicated to elevating Indigenous narratives, fostering Indigenous language revitalization, and empowering youth. The ultimate goal is to foster connections between communities and provide audiences with a deeper understanding of Indigenous perspectives through the power of cinema. acimowinfilmfestival.com |
June 21 | Rock Your Roots Walk for Reconciliation |
In 2024, the Rock Your Roots Walk for Reconciliation will move back to its original date of June 21—National Indigenous Peoples' Day. This will allow organizers, participants and Survivors to engage more with students. The walk takes place 10 am to 12 pm, starting from CUMFI (315 Avenue M S) and ending in Victoria Park. All are welcome. |
June 21 |
National Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration |
The Saskatoon Indian & Métis Friendship Centre partners with community to host a community celebration in Victoria Park. The City of Saskatoon is participating in this celebration, which is open to all. Info here |
June 21 |
Dakota Dunes Resort - Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration |
The Dakota Dunes Resort often holds a celebration. Check with the resort to confirm details. |
June 29-30 | Muskeg Lake Cree Nation Veterans Traditional Powwow |
Muskeg Lake Cree Nation Veterans Traditional Powwow. More info at muskeglake.com |
City of Saskatoon Reconciliation Visual Identity
The 2023 Reconciliation Flag Raising & Gathering included the unveiling of the City’s new Reconciliation Visual Identity. The design was developed through consultation with community Elders to include significant imagery capturing Saskatoon and our shared journey forward on the path to Reconciliation.
A new community tipi with the visual identity hand painted onto it was also unveiled May 29, 2023. A huge thanks to three young Indigenous artists - Honey Constant-Inglis, Josh Whitecalf, and Autumn Baptiste - who led the tipi painting.
National Day for Truth & Reconciliation (Sept 30)
Since 2013, Canada has recognized September 30 as Orange Shirt Day—a day to acknowledge the impacts of residential schools. In 2021, in the wake of locating unmarked graves at residential schools across Canada, the federal government passed legislation to also designate September 30 as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
> News Release - City to recognize National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (Sept 30, 2021) as Stat
Wearing orange on September 30 continues to be one way to honour residential school survivors, their families, and those who didn’t make it home.