Calgarians honour first-ever National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
A few hundred Calgarians gathered outside of Fort Calgary Thursday to commemorate the thousands of Indigenous children who lost their lives in Canada’s residential school system.
Sept. 30 marked the first annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as first responders raised a large banner across two fire truck ladders to remember those who lost their lives.
The banner named the ‘unfinished list’ contained more than 2,000 names of Indigenous children who lost their lives, including Alexander James Horsefall.
Harold Horsefall, who now works as an issues strategist with the City of Calgary’s Indigenous relations office never had the chance to meet his late relative from the Fort Qu’Appelle area. He now vows to continue fighting for his family and strengthening relationships within his community.
“It always starts with the truth and to recognize the history and the legacy that residential schools have had, but also as an extension of policy in the founding and the creation of our nation which is Canada,” Horsefall said.
“I'm just grateful that we have this event here, and I'm happy that we're all able to come together and to do this. Let’s not let this be something that's just a new fad, this is something that's going to take generations to attain truth and reconciliation.”
For others like Pearl White Quills, this day finally gives her a sense of recognition and honour so that she can remember her parents, who both survived the residential school system.
She performed at Thursday’s event with her group called ‘Women of Song’ from the Blood Reserve First Nation. Together they performed a love song to share their strength and support for those impacted by injustices against Indigenous people.
“I’m the first generation of my family not in residential schools and it has not been easy for me, there is still a lot of trauma in my life and a lot of challenges,” she said.
“To be able to represent who we are Indigenous peoples and in everything that I do, we're so grateful to be able to spread a positive image of who we are to show we have a lot of respect.”
The event was particularly impactful for the younger generation as well, including Phoenix Oulette-Young Pine from the Kainai First Nation.
The six-year-old had the opportunity to perform an Indigenous fancy dance for the crowd.
“We will never forget,” he said.
“We are so happy and proud to acknowledge the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.”
Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi also spoke to the crowd, inspired by the number of children who attended the special ceremony.
He says the next generation needs to be educated on what happened to Indigenous peoples and work together to make positive changes in the future.
“Truth means telling ourselves the true stories of where we come from and for today's holiday for I'll be political for just one moment,” Nenshi said.
“That day when I made that gesture of reconciliation, the government of Alberta at the time, also made a gesture of reconciliation. There was much more meaningful than mine, and their gesture of reconciliation was that every child in every grade and school in Alberta, will always learn about residential schools, and will always learn about reconciliation. Don't let them break that promise. We must fight to ensure that every child knows the truth.”
ELDERS SHARE THEIR WISDOM
Local elders are reminding Calgarians that wearing an orange shirt is a strong sign of allyship for Indigenous peoples, but listening and learning is also important to strengthen relationships in the long-term.
Elder and residential school survivor, Clarence Wolfleg shared that message upon performing a prayer and smudging ceremony for those in attendance at the Fort Calgary event.
He spent the early days of his life at a residential school on the Siksika First Nation and reflected on how the negative period in his life now compels him to share a message of hope to others.
“Let’s look at charting and working together as people that we are all people and we are all one with Mother Earth,” he said.
“The way you feel, the way you carry yourself, and most of all, your spiritual balance is important to connecting with Indigenous peoples that have experienced trauma in their lives.”
Cree/Metis Elder Kerrie Moore agrees that acknowledging the tragedies against Indigenous people is a solid first step to reconciliation in the future.
“We can't heal unless we feel, and we couldn't feel, because no one believed us,” Moore said.
“So I think of this journey ahead of us today and going forward because this is just the beginning. We have a lot more ahead of us, but there's a lot more awareness.”
Finally, former Assembly of First Nations Chief, Phil Fontaine also shared remarks Thursday.
He left the crowd with a message of hope that Indigenous people will always be seen as strong contributors to society with well over 30,000 businesses owned and operated across the country.
“I'm hopeful today, because we are strong,” Fontaine said.
“And because we are resilient, the most resilient people on this land, are our people. And we will continue to grow stronger and become even more important on our lands, because finally, we've emerged from darkness into light.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Iran fires air defence batteries in provinces as explosions heard near Isfahan
Iran fired air defence batteries early Friday morning as explosions could be heard near a major air base near Isfahan, raising fears of a possible Israeli strike following Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.