Members of the Saskatchewan RCMP and the Prince Albert Police Service are teaming up with local community agencies to host the Second Feast and Round Dance in honour of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons on Saturday, October 26. This special event will take place at the Senator Allen Bird Memorial Centre in Prince Albert beginning at 4 p.m. in support of family members and others who have lost a loved one to violence.
The annual feast and round dance will include traditional Indigenous ceremonies and foods and is the second to be held across Saskatchewan. The inaugural event was held in Saskatoon in 2018.
Inspector Honey Dwyer with the Saskatchewan RCMP Indigenous Policing Unit said, "It's important for the Saskatchewan RCMP to take active steps towards reconciliation, to honour Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons, and to enhance our relationships with Indigenous communities. Events such as this Feast and Round Dance provide us with opportunities to do that."
The feast and round dance is open to everyone and all members of the community are encouraged to attend. Those attending in honour of a missing or murdered loved one are asked to let organizers know when they arrive so they can be recognized at the event.
"Feasts and ceremonies are held in high regard within Indigenous communities, and are often held to honour the life of a deceased loved one," said Erin Parenteau, Indigenous Resource Officer with the Prince Albert Police Service. "This upcoming event is important as we continue to work to foster positive relationships between Indigenous people and police agencies across the province."
Attendees are asked to bring their own feast dishes for the event as well.