Trading Post 150 celebrates country's Indigenous history ahead of Canada Day

Michael Broadfoot says while most Canadians will be celebrating confederation, some will be protesting 150 years of colonization.

He didn't want to do either.

Instead, he came up with an event called Trading Post 150 to recognize Indigenous history.

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It ran Sunday at Mount Royal University with art, entertainment and educational talks.

"What we wanted to do was engage with Canada's 150 by bringing people together," he said. "We wanted people to feel included in a way that maybesome of the other events weren't."

Educator and activistJamie Medicine Crane of Kainai and Piikani Nations was eager to participate.

"Our people have always been here, even before it was called Canada," she said.

Medicine Crane spoke on stage while Tim Munro of the Siksika First Nation performed a Blackfoot dance.

"The 150 years of colonization has not been a good thing,"Munrosaid, adding he's "not impressed" by the Canada 150 hype, but does like the conversations it has stirred.

"We can't turn back the clock, it is what it is, and we've got tomove forward, we've got tocome together as people and work together for a strong Canada," he said.

"I think that'sthe true spirit and intent of Trading Post 150."