A week-long celebration marks 149 years since the signing of Treaty 4 with daily activities for students, nation members and visitors to promote acknowledgement and appreciation.
Posted: Dec 18, 2020 2:45 PM CT | Last Updated: December 18, 2020
Law student Andre Bear is calling for ceremonies to be listed as an essential service, arguing they re a part of an Indigenous health-care system and should be treated as such.(Liam Richards/The Canadian Press)
Indigenous ceremony is not classified as an essential service. This is creating problems for those who wish to attend ceremonies during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Andre Bear is trying to change that, for people today and for future generations.
The idea to get ceremony recognized as an essential service started brewing in the spring, when the RCMP were called to attend a sun dance ceremony that was allegedly violating public health orders around gathering.