INTERNATIONAL PEACE GARDEN – Friday, July 29th was a warm one as the mercury rose to 34 degrees Celsius at the International Peace Gardens. The Park, dedicated to Peace was celebrating it’s 90th Anniversary from July 29th to 31st, 2022. Our Treaty 2 Territory Government was invited to be a part of this year’s celebration.
North Dakota is geographically home to five tribal nations; Mandan, Hidatsa, & Arikara Nation (Three Affiliated Tribes) , the Spirit Lake Nation , the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe , the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians , and the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Nation.
As part of the Internal Peace Gardens plan to strengthen state-tribal relationships built on understanding and mutual respect, flags of each tribal nation will eventually see their flag flown at the Peace Garden. Prior to the Covid-19 Pandemic, the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians were invited to raise their flag in ceremony. The pandemic halted celebrations for a couple of years, however, July 2022 brought the return of the flag raising ceremony.
The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe was invited this year to raise their flag, in addition to our Treaty 2 Territory Government flag as we are located directly north of North Dakota and along the medicine line between Canada and the USA.
Tribal and state leaders, representatives from Treaty 2 Territory, and visitors gathered last Friday morning to raise the flags.
Those in attendance included Standing Rock Chairwoman Janet Alkire and Vice Chairman Frank Jamerson, along with Turtle Mountain Chairman Jamie Azure, Spirit Lake Chairman Douglas Yankton, Treaty 2 Territory Lead Keeper Boh Kubrakovich, and Administration Keeper Ray Mousseau.
They joined North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, R-ND, North Dakota’s Parks and Recreation Director Cody Schultz, ND Tourism Director Sara Otte Coleman, International Peace Gardens Executive Director Tim Chapman, and Miss USA North Dakota SaNoah LaRocque.
Our Treaty 2 Territory Government was honoured to be invited to raise out flag in ceremony with our North Wolf Ojibway Drum Group and the honour song that they sang for us.
The International Peace Garden wants to start an annual peace pow-wow in the years to come and we are honoured to be invited to be a part of that process, and the planning going forward. We take great pride in our Treaty 2 Territory flag to fly at this living monument dedicated to peace and friendship. We look forward to a strong, and prosperous partnership with these tribes, and with the International Peace Gardens.
Contributed By: Marlene Davis, Nation & Economic Development
Last modified: August 4, 2022
