Sucker Creek celebrates Aboriginal Days

The Mountain Soul drum group performed several songs, including a friendship song for a round dance. Clockwise, from lower left, are Ira Roan, Dylan Rattlesnake, Wayne Roan Jr., Daniel Roan, Bowdrie Roan and Craig Roan.

Mac Olsen
South Peace News

It was a day of festivities for Sucker Creek First Nation, as the community celebrated National Aboriginal Day June 20-21. Many activities were held outside the band office. Chief Jaret Cardinal, Councillor Russell Willier and other dignitaries participated in a grand entry. The Canadian and U.S. flags were raised, as were an Australian aboriginal flag and the British Union Jack. Major Sumner, a member of the Ngarrindjeri Nation of southern Australia, demonstrated his boomerang and long-distance spear throwing skills. He also played a large wooden instrument belonging to northern Australian aboriginals. Cardinal invited Sumner and other Australian and New Zealand aboriginals, as well as members of the Umatilla Tribe of northeastern Oregon. The Mountain Soul drum group performed several songs, including a friendship song for a round dance. The group hails from Mountain Cree Camp, which is a two-hour drive south of Hinton. Jason Chamakese performed several songs on his Native American flutes. He says there are stories behind the songs, which are about the origins of the flutes. He is a member of the Pelican Lake First Nation (Treaty 6) in Saskatchewan. Olga Thunder, Cheryl Kosy and others demonstrated how to cure fish and moose meat. They set up two racks, built a fire under each and laid out the meats. They also showed how fish is prepared for curing. For children’s entertainment, there was face painting, wagon rides and an inflated funhouse. Civic groups were also on hand, including Band Members Against Drugs (B-MAD) and the Lesser Slave Lake Indian Regional Council. B-MAD sold concession items, while the LSLIRC had information for residential school survivors, and information about youth suicide prevention.

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