As we head into the summer months, Taza and Tsuut’ina Nation are bustling with activities, holidays and celebrations. June is National Indigenous History Month across Canada, offering an opportunity to learn more about local Indigenous culture and participate in tradition. From making bannock bread, to attending powwows and other exciting events, there are plenty of ways to celebrate Indigenous history. Read on below for fun and unique ideas on how you can learn, gain understanding and participate in a variety of events.
Try Your Hand at Making Bannock Bread
Bannock bread is a traditional staple found throughout North American Indigenous communities and is a significant part of Indigenous history and cuisine. Traditional bannock was first introduced to Indigenous communities by Scottish settlers in the 18th and 19th century. Contrary to the European use of wheat flour, Indigenous bannock used readily available resources like maize, roots, tree sap, and inner bark scrapings. It was cooked on a hot stone or wrapped around a stick placed over a fire.
Years of colonization, forced assimilation and the loss of access to traditional food sources drastically altered the role of bannock. High-calorie, low-nutrient ingredients (such as wheat flour, sugar, lard and butter) supplied by the Canadian Government became essential for Indigenous people to survive. What was once a food for travels and celebrations became a critical means to feed families and prevent starvation.
Today, bannock is a symbol of Indigenous strength and resilience, and a reminder of the systemic injustices and economic disparities caused by colonial policies. Bannock bread is still widely used as a staple cuisine in Indigenous communities, bringing contemporary twists to the traditional style, and sometimes using frying pans to cook the bread. Across North America, First Nations, Indigenous communities, and even individual families have their own unique recipes and pairings for bannock. Bannock is prepared and shared together with family, passing the recipe and tradition down through generations to preserve for decades to come.
Below is a recipe shared by Bryce Starlight, a member of Tsuut’ina Nation and the Taza team. We encourage you to roll up your sleeves and give it a try, celebrating this meaningful and historic food with your own homemade batch.
Join These Summer Events to Celebrate Indigenous Culture
Celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day at Tsuut’ina Nation – June 21
Join Tsuut’ina Nation for a day of celebration at the Grey Eagle Resort and Casino on June 21. The event will include Indigenous food, traditional dancers, live music and more! A schedule of the event activities are below:
- Indigenous-Themed Lunch Buffet @ Casino: 11:00 AM – 2:30 PM
- Cash & Gift Draws @ Casino: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Grand Entry Dancers @ Casino to Stage Bar: 5:00 PM
- Tyler TwoGuns live @ Stage Bar: 9:30 PM
Treaty Day at Grey Eagle Resort and Casino - June 27
Treaty Day is an important celebration, marking the anniversary of the signed treaties and promoting public awareness of Indigenous culture and history in Canada.
You can join the Treaty Day celebrations this year with Tsuut’ina Nation at Grey Eagle Resort and Casino on June 27 from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The event will include parade floats, booths, food, face painting, and ride passes! It's a day for the nation to come together and celebrate.
This is a free, family-friendly event and open to everyone.
Tsuut’ina Nation’s Annual Powwow Celebration - July 24-28
The Tsuut’ina Nation invites everyone to experience the beauty of their culture at their annual celebration. Held at the Redwood Meadows Fairgrounds from July 24-28, this event features a powwow, youth rodeo, golf, slo-pitch, and more.
This is a free, family-friendly event, and is open to everyone, promising an amazing experience. If this is your first powwow, you can find helpful information and etiquette as an attendee here.
Make a Commitment to Expand Your Learning
Indigenous History Month is an opportunity to experience Indigenous culture and traditions, and to learn more about the diverse history of Indigenous people in Canada. Here are some fun and easy ways for you to open your mind, embrace new knowledge and truly make the most of this enriching experience.
- Explore Tsuut’ina Artwork and Murals at Taza
- Tour the Tsuut’ina Cultural Museum
- Shop Indigenous-made art, textiles and products
- Sign up for the free, Indigenous Canada course
Taza Events & Activities to Add to Your Calendar
In addition to great cultural events happening at Tsuut’ina Nation, Taza and the surrounding community will have plenty of activities over the summer to participate in.
Now Open: The Shops at Buffalo Run
We recently celebrated the Grand Opening of The Shops at Buffalo Run, bringing hundreds of community members and visitors together to celebrate the official launch of this vibrant new retail destination. Themed “Blossom & Bloom,” the event was inspired by the crocus, a symbol of new growth and change for the Tsuut’ina Nation. The atmosphere was filled with excitement as families and friends enjoyed a range of activities, from face painting and a collaborative art mural to exploring local vendor booths. It was a day filled with community spirit, cultural pride, and entertainment in celebration of this significant milestone. The Shops at Buffalo Run is now a lively and essential part of the Taza, promising a bright future ahead.
Gallery of images captured at the Grand Opening for The Shops at Buffalo Run, including local vendor booths, Tyler Twoguns Band, a collaborative art mural and Tsuut’ina Nation artisan market.
Live Music at Grey Eagle Resort and Casino
The Grey Eagle Resort and Casino, neighbouring Taza Park, is offering a summer packed with events and concerts, kicking off with the sold-out Cody Snyder Charity Bullbustin’. If you don’t have tickets yet, check out their contest to win a VIP package. Ludacris will be one of the many musical talents appearing this summer. Rock into August with Blue Rodeo and special guest The Frontiers and continue to let the good times roll with Chilliwack & Streetheart before getting your metal on with Nazareth on August 23.
Check Out Summer Sports & Expos
In addition to their expansive fitness centre and athletic areas, the 7 Chiefs Sportsplex &
Chief Jim Starlight Centre will be hosting some exciting events this summer, including the Volleyball Canada Cup from July 23-28 and the Western Canadian Reptile Expo on August 17-18, featuring exotic animals and plants.
Whether it’s making bannock bread, attending a powwow, or committing to learning something new, we hope you find a way to celebrate National Indigenous History Month. Taza is proud to work in partnership with Tsuut’ina Nation, creating a legacy that will last many generations into the future. To stay updated on future events, cultural celebrations and development updates, join our online community and follow us on social media.
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