‘We’re older than Canada Day’: Indigenous people celebrate Tatanga Day

Face painting and various other kid activities happened at Buffalo Meadows Park on July 1. (Sierra D'Souza Butts/CTV News)

In celebration of Indigenous culture, people showed their support for Tatanga Day on Wednesday.

Formerly known as Buffalo Day, the event honours children and buffalo through Indigenous cultural festivities and entertainment.

“It’s to take a moment to say, ‘What does Canada Day mean to me?’ Because we were here before Canada was birthed as a nation,” said Joely BigEagle-Kequahtooway, co-founder of Buffalo People Arts Institute, organizers of the event.

“So honouring the ones who have been here for thousands of years and remembering them through that blood memory, remembering where we come from, that we’re older than Canada Day.”

Hundreds of people gathered at Buffalo Meadows Park to celebrate the all-day event. In addition to powwow ceremonies, street mural paintings and activities also took place for people in the community to enjoy.

Organizers and volunteers also prepared over 600 lunches to give to people in the North Central community.

“I think this event came about because of some of the negative backlash regarding celebrating Canada Day, especially when there are so many grievances regarding honoring the treaties or the lack of honoring them,” BigEagle-Kequahtooway said, referring to the event being an opportunity for Indigenous people to take action of their own.

• Download the CTV News app to get breaking news alerts sent to your device

“Tatanga” means buffalo or bison in the Dakota and Lakota languages.

“A big part of this day is celebrating dance, celebrating culture and language,” BigEagle-Kequahtooway said.

“For me, a big part of it is having a safe space for our children to feel safe surrounding them with that good positive energy. That’s a big part of what Tatanga Day is about.”