Photo credit: Travel Manitoba

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National Indigenous Peoples Day on Saturday, June 21, is the same day as the summer solstice — the longest day of the year. You’ll need the extra daylight (and a whole weekend!) to take in the many celebrations of First Nations, Inuit and Métis culture.

As you review the many ways to mark Indigenous Peoples Day, also take a few moments to learn more about some of the outstanding Indigenous physicians who have received Doctors Manitoba Awards in recent years. Watch these videos: Dr. Sara Goulet, Dr. Courtney Leary, and Dr. Marcia Anderson.

Happening tomorrow (June 20):

📌Ongomiizwin: National Indigenous Peoples Day
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Mashkiki Gittgaan – Medicine Garden, 743 Bannatyne Avenue
(rain location: Joe Doupe Concourse)
9 a.m. — Sacred Fire
9:30 a.m. — Pipe Ceremony
11:30 a.m. — Feast and Celebration — Brodie Atrium
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Indigenous Vendors, 2^nd Floor Brodie 

📌Shared Health: National Indigenous Peoples Day Market at HSC
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Market featuring Indigenous artisans in the William Avenue Mall area at HSC. 

📌Circles for Reconciliation: National Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration and BBQ
11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Sergeant Tommy Prince Place, 90 Sinclair St
Free community event in honour of National Indigenous Peoples Day with market, children’s activities, sharing circle and free barbecue. 

Happening Saturday (June 21):

📌National Indigenous Peoples Day
Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba and The Forks are co-hosting a National Indigenous Peoples Day celebration with Indigenous performers, games, a Kookum fashion show, and a handmade market. The day begins with a pipe ceremony and teachings from Elders. 

📌Children’s Museum
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
45 Forks Market Road
Create a bison herd with Ojibwe artist Alice RL, experience traditional storytelling with Elder Barb Nepinak, help build a teepee in Time Squared, and join story times at noon and 2 p.m.

📌Waterways: National Indigenous Peoples Day
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
St. Vital Park Boat Launch, 10 a.m. paddle to MCKC at 80 Churchill Drive
Free event, but all participants are required to sign up. Click to register for free canoe rentals.
Celebrations at MCKC start at 1 with a barbecue, a plant walk at 3 p.m.

📌Goldeyes Game Celebrating Indigenous Peoples Day
6 p.m. gates open, first pitch at 6:30
Blue Cross Park, 1 Portage Ave. E 
Cultural performances, presentations and a free night out at the game for wildfire evacuees. Tickets here.

📌Winnipeg Art Gallery
The Live Mixtape Concert
7 to 10 p.m.
WAG – Qaumajuq Rooftop, 300 Memorial Blvd
Celebrate with a concert lineup that brings together Prairie poets, performers, producers, and artists to create new collaborative work with a hip-hop/R&B base. 

In Brandon:

📌Brandon National Indigenous Peoples Day
10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Riverbank Discovery Centre, 545 Conservation Drive
Pipe ceremony, performers, displays, vendors, activities for children, and bannock-making are on the schedule in Brandon. 

In Gimli:

📌Indigenous Peoples Day Gathering
Noon to 4 p.m.
Gimli Park
Indigenous teachings, culture and dance and a performance by Jerry Sereda. Free bannock and tea. 

In Selkirk:

📌Manitoba Métis Federation: Indigenous Peoples Day Selkirk
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Selkirk Park, 490 Eveline St
Pancake breakfast at 9 a.m., opening ceremonies at 11 a.m., and a barbecue lunch at noon. Red River Métis Market, MMF departments’ booths, and a family tent by the Selkirk Friendship Centre. Live entertainment from 1 to 5 p.m.

In Thompson:

📌National Indigenous Peoples Day
MacLean Park
Sunrise ceremony at 4:45 a.m., pancake breakfast at 9 a.m., and free hot dogs at noon along with children’s activities, a pow wow demonstration and crafts. 

Happening Sunday (June 22)

📌Manitoba Museum: Bead-a-Thon
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
190 Rupert Ave
Hosted by Cynthia Boehm and Tashina Houle-Gaywish. 

📌Assiniboine Park Indigenous Peoples Day
11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
145 Leaf Way
Take part in the celebrations including music, dance, teachings, garden tours and food trucks, too!