Celebrations in Golden for National Indigenous Peoples Day take place Thursday, June 21, and feature a number of activities for students and Indigenous people.
Students from Lady Grey and Nicholson Elementary Schools will walk from Lady Grey to the Kicking Horse River with their walking stick, heading toward the high school for more festivities.
“The celebrations in Golden are going to be happening in a different form this year,” said Davene Dunn, adding that much of the celebrations involve students who are graduating into high school, or are achieving their Grade 12 Dogwood diploma this year.
From the river, the students will stop at each block to participate in different events from fiddlers to jiggers, and much more. After they reach the high school, elders and parents are going to celebrate the student’s transitions from elementary to high school, or graduating from high school.
Alexander Park Elementary School is going to have aboriginal-themed stations with elders to visit the students.
“It is a full day,” Dunn said.
Much of the focus at the celebrations this year is on the success of the students, Dunn explained, because education is important to their success.
“I think everyone is aware that many of the Indigenous children don’t graduate, and we feel that it is really important that they do,” she said. “Our elders and our Metis and First Nations community really celebrate their advancement in schools from Grade 7 to high school, and their graduation from Grade 12.”
Encouraging youth to stay in school and complete their education helps to give them meaning in life and provides opportunities to advance in the future. Many Indigenous youth in Golden are considered at risk, and celebrating their success and encouraging them to complete schooling is helpful, Dunn said.
“We, the Indigenous population here, really work hard to reduce that number, and hopefully our kids can go on to a full and healthy life,” she said. “Education is really important because I think Indigenous people will be able to help others. Education is the most important thing for Indigenous people.”
This year there are eight Indigenous youth graduating from Grade 12, and seven students advancing into high school.
“We want them to know that we’re really proud of them, and we’re there to support and encourage them,” Dunn said.
