Peepeekisis Cree Nation centre in Regina to help off-reserve members connect with community

On Wednesday, a new community centre operated by the Peepeekisis Cree Nation opened its doors in Regina to help urban band members have more access to their leaders and services and to keep them connected to each other.

Chief Francis Dieter said of Peepeekisis's roughly 3,500 registered members, 600-700 live in Regina, which made an urban office essential.

"We've been talking about the centre for years," said Headman Alvin Bird.

He said urban members were asking for a place they could go for programming and to interact with leadership closer to them than Peepeekisis, which is about 114 kilometres northeast of Regina. 

At 1220 Scarth Street, he said they would be looking to offer things like training, sewing classes, and cultural programs. 

Bird said they want to give their urban members the opportunity to make their own regalia, learn how to make drums, and take language classes, similar to what is offered on reserve. 

Alicia Morrow, an urban member of Peepeekisis, said the new facility will go beyond providing members with services. 

"It will create a bridge between the urban and on-reserve, so that we can work together and collaborate more effectively," Morrow said.

Vice chiefs from the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations were present at Wednesday's opening event. Third Vice Chief Ally Bear lauded leaders from Peepeekisis for their efforts to work with off-reserve members in Regina. 

"Creating safe spaces, creating spaces in urban centres is really, really important because a lot of our people have moved off the reserve and so that needs to be taken into consideration," she said. 

"Just because you leave the [reserve] doesn't mean you all of a sudden don't have treaty rights anymore."