Thousands of Calgarians gather for restriction-free Canada Day festivities with focus on reconciliation
Friday marked the first Canada Day in two years without any public health restrictions, which meant Calgarians were finally able to gather at several in-person events across the city.
Local artists performed at Olympic Plaza and St. Patrick’s Island, while others took part in a special Canadian cultural mosaic event at Heritage Park.
From live music at Studio Bell to Canada Day-themed outdoor markets in Eau Claire and on 17th Avenue, the day had something for everyone.
Fort Calgary in particular welcomed thousands of people to attend a special Indigenous showcase that featured walking tours and a special Powwow.
INDIGENOUS SHOWCASE
Lowell Yellowhorn of the Piikani Nation was the arena director for the event and was overwhelmed by the support from Calgarians who took time to reflect on the tragedies of Canada’s residential school system.
“This is about building awareness, about the long standing impacts that residential schools have had on indigenous communities,” he said
Lowell Yellowhorn of the Piikani Nation was the arena director for the event and was overwhelmed by the support from Calgarians who took time to reflect on the tragedies of Canada’s residential school system.
Yellowhorn attended Lebret Residential School back in 1996, which was one of the last institutions of its kind in Canada at the time.
“Those impacts are still visible today and our communities are currently in the process of healing so we need to promote reconciliation as a culture. It’s an important aspect for us to recognize as a country, taking those opportunities to educate about those impacts that have been inflicted on our people.”
The event at Fort Calgary gave everyone the chance to learn more about Indigenous culture including young children.
Vivianne Mansour took her two young kids to learn more about the history of those who first settled on Canadian soil.
“The kids love to learn and it's important for all of us to learn, especially in light of the residential school traumas,” she said.
RAISING PEOPLE'S VOICES
Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek re-iterated that message when she spoke at the inaugural BownessFest event in the northwest Calgary community.
“I think it's really important also to reflect that there are many stories of Canada that are untold and it is about raising people's voices to make sure the narrative of our country, as complex as it is, is heard,” said Gondek.
“Indigenous peoples have been silenced in this country for too long. We must let their culture, their language, and their stories rise up because that's the only way we really take reconciliation seriously.”
Events throughout the day were dedicated to education, but also for adults and children to celebrate and have fun together.
People like Ryan Swaby were thrilled to enjoy Canada Day events with his family under no COVID-19 restrictions.
“It’s so great to be out here with family and the community enjoying the nice weather and the people and not being stuck in the house,” he said.
Stephanie Mayson couldn’t agree more. She took her kids to get face paint, Canada Day treats, and danced along to live music.
“This is awesome this year with no restrictions because everyone's socializing and having a blast again,” she said.
“We’re here celebrating the land, celebrating the different cultures experiencing everything down here today, it’s just great with family and friends to be here.”
Canada Day festivities wrap up with a full line-up of performances on the main stage at Fort Calgary, including rock band Sloan which will headline the event at 9:45 p.m.
A special fireworks display is scheduled for 11 p.m.outside city hall, which will feature a moment of silence and an Indigenous Elder blessing to honour the victims of residential schools.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
Last letters of pioneering climber who died on Everest reveal dark side of mountaineering
George Mallory is renowned for being one of the first British mountaineers to attempt to scale the dizzying heights of Mount Everest during the 1920s. Nearly a century later, newly digitized letters shed light on Mallory’s hopes and fears about ascending Everest.
Toxic testing standoff: Family leaves house over air quality
A Sherwood Park family says their new house is uninhabitable. The McNaughton's say they were forced to leave the house after living there for only a week because contaminants inside made it difficult to breathe.
An emergency slide falls off a Delta Air Lines plane, forcing pilots to return to JFK in New York
An emergency slide fell off a Delta Air Lines jetliner shortly after takeoff Friday from New York, and pilots who felt a vibration in the plane circled back to land safely at JFK Airport.
B.C. seeks ban on public drug use, dialing back decriminalization
The B.C. NDP has asked the federal government to recriminalize public drug use, marking a major shift in the province's approach to addressing the deadly overdose crisis.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Decoy bear used to catch man who illegally killed a grizzly, B.C. conservation officers say
A man has been handed a lengthy hunting ban and fined thousands of dollars for illegally killing a grizzly bear, B.C. conservation officers say.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
First court appearance for boy and girl charged in death of Halifax 16-year-old
A girl and a boy, both 14 years old, made their first appearance today in a Halifax courtroom, where they each face a second-degree murder charge in the stabbing death of a 16-year-old high school student.