(Graphic courtesy/Huskie Athletics, Instagram)

By Ben Tompkins

National Indigenous Peoples Day

Huskies honour unique cultures, contributions of Indigenous Peoples

Jun 21, 2024 | 5:31 PM

The University of Saskatchewan and the Huskies are honouring National Indigenous Peoples Day.

They are doing so through their continued support, inclusion and empowerment of Indigenous People.

“Huskies are committed to collaborative partnerships to ensure Indigenous integration is embedded into the fabric of our athletic programs. We continue to weave Indigenous culture and perspectives from student-athletes, alumni and friends of Huskies to create strong relationships and welcoming spaces. We are dedicated to continuing conversation, listening, and engaging with the community,” the U of S told HuskieFAN.

Just look no further to the Instagram post the Huskie Athletics page shared, as they showcased their Indigenous athletes, events, gatherings, ceremonies, and colours.

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The Huskies have been doing such things for a while, starting back in 2018, when the Saskatoon Residential School Survivor Circle supported the request of the Huskie Cross Country team’s desire to race in orange singlets.

They did so in honour of Residential School Survivors and the thousands of children who never made it home.

This tradition has continued and even evolved for visiting athletes who have chosen to do the same for the annual race.

Other examples include in 2019, with the development of an Indigenous Task Force.

Made up of community members and alumni, it came together to explore opportunities within athletics for Indigenous engagement as well as the internal structures required to meaningfully support partnerships and education.

“National Indigenous Peoples Day is a day in which we encourage our team members to take the time to learn more about the diversity of Indigenous communities, cultures, and languages, and the history of Treaty 6 Territory and the homeland of the Métis,” the U of S added.

“It is important to educate ourselves and seek understanding about the ongoing impacts of colonialism, to honour residential school survivors, and to remember those who never returned from residential schools.”

During the 2023 U SPORTS National Track and Field Championship, a partnership was formed with the Manifesting Academic Growth Promoting Indigenous Excellence (MAGPIE) program at Nutana Collegiate High School.

It was also big during the 2024 U SPORTS Women’s Hockey National Championship.

Student-athletes, coaches, and staff worked with Indigenous leaders and students from the MAGPIE program to learn the craft of beading, as 800 beaded lanyards and 300 keychains were distributed.

“Every year on June 21, National Indigenous Peoples Day, is a moment to honour the unique cultures and contributions of generations of First Nations, Métis and Inuit people across Canada,” concluded the U of S.

For last year’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the University even created a new logo.

They’ve also hosted multiple Truth and Reconciliation games in honour of the national holiday.

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

On X @BenTompkins_8