A party at UQTR in preparation for National Indigenous Peoples Day

The celebrations surrounding National Indigenous Peoples Day which takes place on Friday began Thursday at UQTR, with activities organized in collaboration with the Trois-Rivières Native Friendship Center.

This celebration marks the start of a three-year agreement between theUQTR and the center, to exchange and discover the world and culture of the First Nations.

The festivities took place at Espace Waska Otapi, an outdoor square located between the student life, Pierre-Boucher and Benjamin-Sulte pavilions.

Many activities aimed at introducing people to certain aspects of indigenous culture were organized during the day, such as the design of medicinal bags or the weaving of snowshoes.

The director of relations and engagement with first peoples for UQTR, Samuel Rainville, recalls the importance of this type of celebration for the community.

It was obvious that we had to build links with partners from indigenous nations. From now on, we must build links, lasting links, then think about how education can also be at the service of First Nations.he indicates.

A show by Atikamekw singer-songwriter Sakay Ottawa will take place in the evening on Thursday.

These activities were organized on the eve of National Indigenous Peoples’ Day, a day of celebration held on the summer solstice aimed at recognizing and honoring the heritage, cultures and valuable contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis to Canadian societycan we read on the website of theUQTR.

The general director of the Trois-Rivières Native Friendship Center, Maude Flamand, affirms that the agreement will notably allow the two organizations to celebrate together the National Indigenous Peoples Day, but also the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation which takes place on September 30.

UQTR towards indigenous students, but also all indigenous populations in Trois-Rivières. It promotes the feeling of belonging of indigenous students to theUQTR but I would also say of the indigenous population towards the city of Trois-Rivières”,”text”:”It also demonstrates the openness of the UQTR towards indigenous students, but also all the indigenous populations in Trois-Rivières. It promotes the feeling of belonging of indigenous students to UQTR but I would also say of the indigenous population towards the city of Trois-Rivières”}}”>It also demonstrates the opening of theUQTR towards indigenous students, but also all indigenous populations in Trois-Rivières. It promotes the feeling of belonging of indigenous students to theUQTR but I would also say of the indigenous population towards the city of Trois-Rivièresshe says.

Several activities planned in La Tuque

A day of celebration is also planned in La Tuque on Friday, organized by the region’s Native Friendship Center.

After a morning sunrise ceremony, the center organized several activities, such as the creation of a mural, a fire cooking workshop, free canoeing and a Tewehikan initiation workshop, singing and dancing.

In the evening, participants will be able to go to an exhibition of portraits of elders and participate in a podcast on the indigenous language.

The activities will end in the evening with a full moon ceremony.

With information from Léa Lauzon