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
Trudeau acknowledges charges in Nijjar killing, calls for commitment to democracy
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has acknowledged the charges laid Friday in relation to the murder of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
Princess Anne lays wreath at B.C. veteran's cemetery; receives 21-gun salute
Princess Anne paid tribute to veterans buried at a cemetery in British Columbia today, laying a wreath to honour the more than 2,500 military personnel and family members buried there.
Mystik Dan wins the 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in a three-horse photo finish
Mystik Dan won the 150th Kentucky Derby in a photo finish, edging out Forever Young and Sierra Leone for the upset victory.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.