Beausejour residents are invited to a hands-on National Indigenous Peoples Day celebration on June 21, 2026, at the Sandy-Saulteaux Spiritual Centre. From 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm, the community can take part in a traditional tipi raising ceremony and a potluck feast on the centre’s 36 acres of wooded land beside the Brokenhead River, just east of town.
This year marks 30 years since June 21 was first proclaimed as a day to honour Indigenous cultures and heritage. The date was chosen to coincide with the summer solstice, a time of significance for many Indigenous communities across Canada.
“Join us for teachings, teamwork and time on the land, as we put up our tipi,” the centre says in its invitation. Everyone is asked to bring a dish of food to share for the community potluck. The tipi raising is the centrepiece activity, offering a chance to learn the cultural meaning behind the structure, which teaches values like respect, obedience and humility.
The Sandy-Saulteaux Spiritual Centre, located at 290 Zielke Drive, is a ministry training centre of the United Church of Canada focused on Indigenous theological education. The centre’s work follows the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action and is guided by the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Staff members Aliesha Desjarlais (Keeper of the Circle), Maggie Dieter (Keeper of the Learning Circle), Shanley Spence (Wahkotowin Cultural Coordinator) and Deb Versluis (Office Administrator) help coordinate programs that connect leadership development with the land.
The event is open to all ages, though those under 18 must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or caregiver. The grounds include outdoor seating, a sheltered pavilion and indoor washrooms to make participation easier. Locals can find more details through the Beausejour Business Development Corporation’s community events page.
Beausejour sits on Treaty 1 territory, near the Brokenhead Ojibway Nation, a signatory to that treaty. The day’s activities offer a direct way for neighbours to learn together about Indigenous traditions while sharing a meal and conversation.
