By Angela Brown

Second annual March Out Racism event coming up

Mar 16, 2018 | 2:00 PM

Battlefords residents can help do their part to address the issue of racism in the community and elsewhere by taking part in the upcoming March Out Racism walk.

The event is being organized by the Battlefords Immigration Resource Centre (BIRC).

Executive Director Annette McGovern said the march aims to support diversity, multiculturalism, and inclusion.

“It’s to bring awareness that everybody is equal and there should not ever be any racism,” McGovern said. “We’re hoping everybody joins us in the march. Everyone who feels like coming out and joining is welcome.”

The staff from the BIRC as well as other supporters will be taking part in the march. 

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McGovern said other city staff and First Nation communities usually participate in the event.

BIRC took over the event which started as a Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan initiative. 

“We got involved with them and we thought it would be a great thing to do in our area, to bring awareness there is racism and we do need to deal with it and stop it,” she said. “Last year was our first attempt and we did fairly well.”

Lori Nicotine of Poundmaker Cree Nation who plans to participate in the march again this year said the issue of racism has been prominent due to “all the negative issues that arose lately,” after the Gerald Stanley case. Stanley was tried, and ultimately acquitted, of second-degree murder after fatally shooting Colten Boushie, a young man from Red Pheasant First Nation.

“There are so much negative feelings, vibrations coming from all over,” she said, adding she hopes the march will help in some way.

Nicotine added racism has always maintained a presence in North Battleford, but because of the social media it is becoming more apparent. 

“There needs to be some light of hope. There needs to be a beam of light to unite everyone under the notion that we are in this together,” Nicotine said. 

The City of North Battleford will proclaim the day as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination at the start of the March Out Racism walk, outside city hall starting at 12 p.m. on Wednesday, March 21. 

The route then moves along 101 Street to Railway Avenue, and finishes at the Battlefords Immigration Resource Centre.

Gold Eagle Casino will provide a van to take participants back to city hall after the event.

angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow

EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was updated at 3:49 p.m. on Friday, March 16 to include commentary from Lori Nicotine.