Thousands of Calgarians gather on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Calgarians gathered to remember, educate and listen on Friday for the country's second annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
About a dozen events in and around the city — many hosted by Treaty 7 elders — marked the day.
The largest gathering was the City of Calgary's Orange Shirt Day event at Fort Calgary, where roughly 2,000 people attended to listen to Indigenous speakers.
"Calgarians are now recognizing the importance of remembering the children that perished at Indian residential schools," said Terry Poucette with the city’s Indigenous relations office.
"Today is a good reminder to make reconciliation a part of their every day."
The event included a drum circle, traditional dancing and singing, and was back-dropped by a large flag containing the names of children known to have died at residential schools.
"And we've left a blank school because there are children who have not been found yet," Poucette said.
"I'm wanting Calgarians to better understand the history and to recognize the contributions of Indigenous people to this country."
The event focused on young Canadians.
Not only were residential school attendees commemorated, but an emphasis was placed on the growing Indigenous youth population in Canada.
Poucette said committing to acting on reconciliation is especially important for the next generation.
About a dozen events in and around Calgary — many hosted by Treaty 7 elders — marked the country's second annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
The city's second-largest event was held at Prince's Island Park.
The Colouring It Forward Reconciliation Society and the Urban Society for Aboriginal Youth hosted the fourth annual Pokaiks Commemorative Walk — also called the Orange Shirt Day Walk.
Calgarians marked the day walking through the island and remembering the lives that were lost to colonialism.
"During the walk, we are doing some healing together, and people are walking to show support for positive change," Colouring It Forward's Diana Frost told CTV News.
"I'm hoping people will come away realizing that it is possible to do something towards truth and reconciliation together."
The city illuminated several of its landmarks orange in honour of the day, including Olympic Plaza, the TELUS Spark Science Centre, the Reconciliation Bridge and the Calgary Tower.
Additionally, flags on municipal buildings were lowered to half-mast.
Council has committed to 43 calls to action listed in the White Goose Flying report. The report is available through the city's website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. seeks ban on using drugs in 'all public spaces,' shifting approach to decriminalization
The B.C. government is moving to have drug use banned in 'all public spaces,' marking a major shift in the province's approach to decriminalization.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Trump's lawyers try to discredit testimony of prosecution's first witness in hush money trial
Donald Trump's defence team attacked the credibility Friday of the prosecution's first witness in his hush money case, seeking to discredit testimony detailing a scheme between Trump and a tabloid to bury negative stories to protect the Republican's 2016 presidential campaign.
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.
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
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.
'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.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.