Loved ones, Indigenous leaders, members of the public and RCMP officers gathered at the Alex Dillabough Centre in Battleford on November 19 and 20 to pause and remember Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons in Saskatchewan and across Canada.
At sunrise on Friday, a Sacred Fire was lit in Battleford in honour of them. During the Sacred Fire ceremony, an Indigenous Elder led families, friends and loved ones in prayer. The Sacred Fire was watched and attended by a Fire Keeper until the conclusion of the Fourth Feast and Round Dance which took place Saturday evening.
Feast and Round Dance a humbling and meaningful event for RCMP participants
"Experiencing the Feast and Round Dance was humbling on a personal and professional level. I'm originally from Battlefords, so it's not only where I work - it's my home. Joining the community in this meaningful event was an honour," says Cpl. James Fenrich from the Battlefords RCMP Detachment.
He was one of five officers from the Saskatchewan RCMP that attended the Feast and Round Dance. As the provincial police service, the Saskatchewan RCMP recognizes that Reconciliation is a constant, movement towards the future, a reflection of the past, and an ongoing dialogue. Attending Feasts and Round Dances are part of that ongoing process.
As the event was not open to the public, members of the Saskatchewan community were encouraged to participate and pay their respects from afar by sharing videos and photos of themselves and their loved ones sharing a meal together or round dancing together.
Insp. Dustin Ward is the new officer in charge of Saskatchewan RCMP's Indigenous Police Services. Participating in the Feast and Round Dance was particularly moving for him. "Being new in the Indigenous policing role, getting involved in the community firsthand and learning about local Indigenous culture and protocols is really important. It will help guide me in future events. It will give me a greater understanding and awareness and appreciation for the culture," he says. "Being there on a personal level and having the chance to do the non-uniform cultural events, it brings the community and police closer together."
Feast and Round Dance the last in series of four held across Saskatchewan
This year's Feast and Round Dance was the final of four that were held in various communities across Saskatchewan. The Feast and Round Dance served as a four-year commitment as part of continued efforts towards Reconciliation.
In November 2018, the inaugural Feast and Round Dance took place in Saskatoon. The following year, Saskatchewan RCMP partnered with the Prince Albert Police Service and local community agencies to host the Second Saskatchewan RCMP Feast and Round Dance in Prince Albert. The third Saskatchewan RCMP Feast and Round Dance was scheduled to take place in Yorkton in November 2020. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, it took place virtually so individuals could participate from the safety of their homes. Those who participated were invited to say a prayer for the Missing and Murdered, have feast food or a meal with loved ones in their household and dance to round dance music.
"Saskatchewan RCMP is committed to creating meaningful change that will build strong relationships with the communities we serve," says Insp. Ward. "These four round dances were a way for us to repair and strengthen ties with Indigenous communities, marking another step forward in our long and ongoing path to Reconciliation."
The Round Dances have been one of the ways for the Saskatchewan RCMP to pause, remember and honour the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons in our province and across Canada.