Indigenous advocates call for cancellation of fireworks as city preps for Canada Day
Thousands of Calgarians are ready to ring in Canada’s 155th birthday as festivities are set to be held across the city, but not everyone is calling this a ‘celebration.’
“It’s time for change,” said Nicole Johnston, an advocate for Indigenous people.
“I’d like to see Canada Day abolished and I don’t mean it in a negative way. Let’s change this day where we can really include everyone and move forward from the past.”
Johnston is a member of the Piikani Nation who suffered traumas as a day school student at an Anglican Church in the 1970s.
She’s holding a Justice for Indigenous Walk that begins in front of city hall at 4 p.m. Friday. Orange balloons will be released to commemorate the thousands of children who died as a result of Canada’s Residential School system.
Nicole Johnston is a member of the Piikani Nation who suffered traumas as a day school student at an Anglican Church in the 1970s.
“We don't see people celebrating, what we see are people celebrating on stolen lands, the genocide that took place here,” Johnston added.
However, not all Indigenous people want to see fireworks cancelled for Canada Day.
Jason Plain Eagle, who is a teacher of several Indigenous culture programs, was setting up a teepee at Fort Calgary on Thursday and is looking forward to having everyone gather for the big day.
“Residential schools were a bad thing that happened to my people, but we always have to move forward,” he said.
“Fireworks make people happy so I think it's a good thing that we celebrate as well as recognize that the kids are lost. I'm glad that we’re starting to finally recognize the traumas of residential schools and bring it home so we have to work through that right.”
The fireworks display is set for 11 p.m. from city hall, which will include a blessing from Stoney Nakoda Elder Cindy Daniels, a message from Jyoti Gondek and a moment of silence for the loss of Indigenous lives.
Jennifer Thompson, manager of arts and culture for the City of Calgary, said the event will be livestreamed on the city’s website.
She added however that Indigenous culture is a main focus for this year’s Canada Day.
“We really want to highlight Truth and Reconciliation, so starting at 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Fort Calgary there will be an Indigenous showcase, a powwow and a ton of chats around the residential school sites and those traumatic experiences,” said Thompson.
Jennifer Thompson, manager of arts and culture for the City of Calgary, says the event will be livestreamed on the city’s website.
“The fireworks were decided to keep going, but for future planning for Canada Day, the city really wants to have a conversation with Calgarians about what it could like in the future. Should we be having fireworks? Should we be having other types of programming that maybe we haven't had (in the past)?"
Thompson added that the city will be having discussions on fireworks for next year’s Canada Day within the next six months.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.