Calgary prepared for another National Truth and Reconciliation Day

Article content

People across Calgary are ready to celebrate National Truth and Reconciliation Day. Several events are planned in the city.

Monday, September 30, marks the fourth year since National Truth and Reconciliation Day was established as a federal holiday, although Orange Shirt Day has been celebrated since 2013.

On Sunday, Indigenous peoples and elders gathered at Heritage Park for several events ahead of the official holiday.

Article content

One of Heritage Park’s goals is to begin creating traditions around National Truth and Reconciliation Day, said Nicole Henbrey, the park’s Indigenous programs specialist.

“A big part of this was engaging residential school survivors and those affected by them and creating a culturally safe and ethical space for these conversations,” Henbrey said.

She hopes that over time, truth and reconciliation will spread throughout the park.

Henbrey, who is also local, said during Truth and Reconciliation Day that she would mourn.

“I will mourn; As a First Nation person, it’s hard for me to remember that – so I use the day to take care of myself and honor my family,” she said.

An Orange Shirt Day event will be held at The Confluence (formerly known as Fort Calgary) on Monday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will include walking tours and various other activities.

Orange Shirt Day at The Confluence is just one of the events taking place on Monday. Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park, Pokaik’s “The Children” Memorial Walk and Speak Up! At Studio Bell are among many others.

Article content

Article content

“Everyone had a story”

Joe Starlight, a member of the Tsuut’ina Nation, spoke to more than 100 people at Heritage Park on Sunday, sharing his stories and experiences with two parents who attended boarding schools.

“The experiences my parents had were filtered onto us, and the ‘filtering’ was based on a system that wasn’t ours, it was forced on us,” Starlight said.

He said the residual effects of this system have left many people bitter or angry.

According to Starlight, recognition is the way forward.

“We have to acknowledge each other for this thing to work. When two people on either side of the table are screaming, no one hears anything,” he said. “Now no one shouts anymore; Finally people are listening.”

Starlight challenged people to understand the meaning of the orange shirt.

“Make it your favorite shirt so you love it so much that you treasure it, and then imagine if someone stole it from you,” he said. “My mother also had a story. . . It was about a coat, the men had their braids cut off, right? So everyone had a story.”

“Come with an open mind and open ears”

Article content

A groundbreaking ceremony was held at Heritage Park for shade structures for Indigenous staff and programs funded by the Rotary Club of Calgary Heritage Park.

“We had the traditional groundbreaking to recognize the land on which these shelters will be built,” said Diane Kashuba, director of fund development at Heritage Park.

Kashuba said the buildings are scheduled to open in May 2025 and will be designed with elements of traditional powwow accommodations.

Daniel Little Leaf Carton is a Blood Tribe member whose booth was set up at Heritage Park on Sunday afternoon.

Carton says truth and reconciliation is about acknowledging the past and moving forward, but at the same time not forgetting.

“There are a lot of ‘blocks,’ like trying to get rid of school names, but I don’t think they should do that,” he said. “Keep them, but explain what was wrong with them, what ideology they were promoting, rather than erasing the past.”

On the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, he said: “Come with an open mind and open ears.”

Walk for Jon Wells

Article content

Carton also spoke about the tragedy of Jon Wells, another member of the Blood Tribe, who died Sept. 17 after a physical altercation with Calgary police at a hotel.

An investigation into the incident by the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) is ongoing, and the police station has previously said officers used “various uses of force” during the altercation, which lasted over three minutes.

“It feels like a step backwards,” Carton said. “I know that many locals, especially male ones, are still afraid of the police; I know it’s me.”

A walk from the Carriage House Inn, where Wells died, to Calgary Police Service headquarters is planned for Monday at 1 p.m., coinciding with the National Truth and Reconciliation Day.

The walk is dedicated to Wells and is organized by his family.

— With files from Mackenzie Rhode, Noah Brennan and Matt Scace

Article content