City highlights Truth and Reconciliation Day activities taking place

The City of North Battleford, the Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs Inc. (BATC), and Red Pheasant Communications are partnering on an initiative called the Honouring their Voices Walk.

During the summer, the city installed 215 stakes with orange ribbons, at the base of the Don Ross Centre hill to commemorate the lives of the 215 children found buried at the site of a former residential school in the Kamloops area, as well as all children lost to residential schools in Canada.

Starting at 10:00 a.m. on Sept. 29 outside the Don Ross Centre, the participants will move the Indian Residential School Children’s memorial display and walk with the stakes to Red Pheasant Cree Nation’s urban land, just off Territorial Drive in North Battleford, near Centex Gas Bar.

The BATC said on its Facebook Page the display will be set up there until a more permanent location is created. People are reminded to follow COVID-19 protocols.

Also, on Sept. 29, starting at 1:00 p.m., the Walking for the Children – Orange Shirt Day walk is planned for the Battlefords Industrial School Children’s Cemetery, found near the site of the former Battleford Industrial School, south of Battleford. The event is sponsored by the Ridge Mosquito, Grizzly Bear’s Head, Lean Man (MGBHLM) First Nation, as well as Living Sky School Division, the Battleford Industrial School (BIS) Commemorative Association, and Sunchild Law. Participants are asked to wear a mask.

Then, on Sept. 30 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., the Battlefords Indian and Métis Friendship Centre are planning an afternoon of activities. The event will include a barbecue, entertainment, a balloon release, a hoop dancer, and drummers. As this is an outdoor event, people are asked to bring their lawn chairs.

“Hopefully, residents have a chance to participate, and to reflect on what the day is all about,” Mayor Gillan said. “It’s really a combination of Orange Shirt Day and this holiday [the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation] now.”

During council, he recounted the history of Orange Shirt Day, about a child’s painful experience when her special orange shirt was taken away from her when she started residential school in B.C.

“I was looking at the history. It was in ’73, not that long ago,” he said. “And, here we are today, all celebrating Orange Shirt Day, originally on the 30th [of September], and now it’s a federal holiday as well, which is fantastic.”

“The day is really a symbol of the stripping away of cultural freedom and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children over generations,” he said. “That’s why we come together on the 30th to reflect, to remember and respect. I hope all the residents of North Battleford reflect on that day, and everyone wears orange on the 30th and the 29th because there are events on both days.”

Flag-raising ceremony in Battleford

The Town of Battleford, similar to the City of North Battleford, is closing its facilities on Sept. 30 to commemorate the holiday. The town will have a flag-raising ceremony for the Treaty 6 and Métis Nation flags at 9 a.m. on Sept. 29. COVID-19 precautions will be in place.

—

Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @battlefordsnow

by Angela Brown

City highlights Truth and Reconciliation Day activities taking place

What's Trending