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
Bodies found by U.S. authorities searching for missing B.C. kayakers
United States authorities who have been searching for a pair of missing kayakers from British Columbia since the weekend have recovered two bodies in the nearby San Juan Islands of Washington state.
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.
'It's discriminatory': Individuals refused entry to Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
Individuals being barred from entering Ontario’s legislature while wearing a keffiyeh say the garment is part of their cultural identity— and the only ones making it political are the politicians banning it.
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.
Saskatchewan households will continue to receive carbon tax rebate: Trudeau
Households in Saskatchewan will continue to receive Canada Carbon Rebate payments, despite the province refusing to remit the federal carbon price on natural gas, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Tuesday.
'It's just so hard to let it go': Umar Zameer still haunted by death of Toronto police officer
“It's just so hard to let it go. I mean, everyone is telling me, ‘you have to move on,’ but I know someone is not here [anymore]. So I don't know how I will move on." That’s what Umar Zameer, the man recently acquitted in the death of a Toronto police officer, told CTV News Toronto in a sit-down interview on Tuesday.
Senate expenses climbed to $7.2 million in 2023, up nearly 30%
Senators in Canada claimed $7.2 million in expenses in 2023, a nearly 30 per cent increase over the previous year.
Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko won't play in Game 2
The Vancouver Canucks will be without all-star goalie Thatcher Demko when they face the Nashville Predators in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series.
Pedestrian, baby injured after stroller struck and dragged by vehicle in Squamish, B.C.
Police say a baby and a pedestrian suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a vehicle struck a baby stroller and dragged it for two blocks before stopping in Squamish, B.C.