The Northern Prairie Indigenous Peoples Collective’s Summer Solstice Event

In Northern Saskatchewan, many Indigenous families grapple with socio-economic challenges and often have limited access to support services, especially for youth and children.

For these communities, fostering a sense of cultural identity and pride among youth is critical for their holistic well-being and community resilience.

The Northern Prairie Indigenous Peoples Collective (NPIPCI), a non-profit organization based in Prince Albert, is dedicated to supporting Métis, Status off-reserve, and Non-Status citizens in Northern Saskatchewan. Central to their mission is nurturing stronger families through cultural education, socialization, mental health wellness, and inclusivity within the community.

With support from the Indigenous Reconciliation Fund (IRF), NPIPCI is hosting its second annual Summer Solstice Event, celebrating and promoting Indigenous cultures in the region. The celebration features workshops for children and youth, including mini moccasin making, pow wow dancing and jigging, beadwork, pointillism, ribbon skirt making, drum teaching, fiddle instruction, traditional Métis games, and cultural entertainment. 

The Summer Solstice Event is an opportunity for community members to reconnect with their cultural roots and share their traditions with younger generations. As stated by Elder and event attendee Liz Settee: 

“For many, this day is a connection to culture or an insight and understanding to Indigenous culture. If we truly want reconciliation, we must learn from each other, and, get to know each other.”

Diocese of Prince Albert