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
Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today
The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today, with the exception of Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.
'A huge difference': These adults born in the '90s partnered with their parents to buy homes in Ontario
An Ontario woman said it would have been impossible to buy a house without her mother – an anecdote that animates the fact that over 17 per cent of Canadian homeowners born in the ‘90s own their property with their parents, according to a new report.
OPINION No reunion between Prince Harry and the King signifies a setback for royal unity
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they're now named Scouting America
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.
How Drake and Kendrick Lamar's rap beef escalated within weeks
A long-simmering feud between hip-hop superstars Drake and Kendrick Lamar reached a boiling point in recent days as the pair traded increasingly personal insults on a succession of diss tracks. Here’s a quick overview of what’s behind the ongoing beef.
Northern Ont. woman makes 'eggstraordinary' find
A chicken farmer near Mattawa made an 'eggstraordinary' find Friday morning when she discovered one of her hens laid an egg close to three times the size of an average large chicken egg.
Ontario man devastated to learn $150,000 line of credit isn't insured after wife dies
An Ontario man found out that a line of credit he thought was insured actually isn't after his wife of 50 years died.
NEW For their protection, immigrants critical of China and India call for speedy passage of Canada's foreign interference legislation
Canadian immigrants threatened by hostile regimes are urging parliamentarians to quickly pass the 'Countering Foreign Interference Act' so they can feel safe living in their adopted home.
Spanish prosecutors recommend 2nd investigation into Shakira's taxes be thrown out
Spanish state prosecutors recommended Wednesday that an investigating judge shelve a probe into another alleged case of tax fraud by pop star Shakira.