Throughout June, New Gold’s Rainy River Mine celebrated National Indigenous History Month and Indigenous Peoples Day. Across the company, resource libraries were created and stocked with books by Indigenous authors that employees can borrow.
Throughout the month, the mine’s community team dedicated their weekly “Teaching Tuesday” awareness campaign to recognizing Indigenous individuals who made significant contributions in various fields such as sports, arts, culture, entrepreneurship, and other professional industries. The team paid special attention to members of Treaty 3 and Indigenous people from across Canada. Among those highlighted were Jenn Harper, an entrepreneur from Northwest Angle 33 and founder of Cheekbone Beauty, as well as Danielle Morrison, an entrepreneur and lawyer from the Anishinaabeg of Naongashiing who owns Clan Mother Goods and practices law at Cochrane Saxberg.
An event to celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day was held at mine site roundhouse – a purpose-built place for ceremonies and gatherings. Forty-five New Gold employees and invited guests were honoured to have two children from Treaty 3 Territory share their heritage through dance in their traditional regalia. The performances included a Jingle Dress Dancer from Rainy River First Nations and a Woodland Dancer from Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation. Additionally, a drum group from Treaty 3 Territory performed, and knowledge keeper Murry Bombay from Rainy River First Nations enriched the event by explaining the dances and the meanings behind the songs. Bombay noted that the event was an important step in strengthening the relationship between New Gold and Indigenous communities.
“This was a really meaningful moment for everyone,” said Autumn Windego, Community Coordinator at Rainy River Mine, and co-organizer. “We plan to make this inaugural celebration an annual tradition and extend our heartfelt thanks to Gibsons Design for their decorations and to Safeway for donating two freeze-dried roses, which were presented as gifts to the dancers in appreciation of their talents.”
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