Photo of Walk for Reconciliation in the City of Calgary
Walk for Reconciliation
National Indigenous Peoples Day saw events all across Alberta and in the City of Calgary, there was an event everywhere you looked.
To start off the city’s celebration was the Walk for Reconciliation which started from the Harry Hays Building at eight in the morning, which went all the way to the original site of Fort Calgary known as Mohkintsis. The original Blackfoot name of Calgary.
The walk had over three hundred participances join the journey with some bearing a special walking staffs with a white feather that bared the names of Indian Residential Schools from across Canada. Each feather also included the dates the school was in operation.
Photo of a walking staff with Indian Residential School Feather
After climbing the hill to the site of Fort Calgary, the staffs were gathered to form a tipi to remember those who never made it home.
Photo of all walking staffs formed into a tipi in memory of those who never came home from Residential School
President of Fort Calgary Jennifer Thomson shared why it’s important for the community to take time to remember and talk about difficult conversations during times of celebration.
The event ended with food and performances from dancers and drumming.
Studio Bell
Just around the corner Studio Bell had free Admission with talks and performances from Indigenous Artists. An evolving exhibit of Studio Bell is Speak Up, Past, Present and Future which honors Indigenous Artists from across Canada biased their accomplishments and service to their communities.
CJWE spoke with the Exhibits Curator David McLeod
Photo of Speak Up! Curator David McLeod
A special teaching was also held by Siksika Knowledge Keeper Eldon Weasel Child, who taught the story and importance of drums to the Blackfoot Nation. Eldon shared with CJWE some of the lessons of the drums.
Traditional Round Dance
To bring community together, the Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Calgary (AFCC) hosted a Traditional Round Dance at the Marlborough Community Association building behind Marlborough Mall.
There attendants were treated to a traditional meal of soup and Bannock which was accompanied by performances from Jason Running Rabbit and Calgary Metis Youth Jiggers.
Once the meal ended actives for kids took place with traditional games, face painting and rock painting took place outside in the soccer field.
Meanwhile, inside Sorrel Rider Drummer and Siksika Knowledge Keeper Darcy Turning Robe with his Father Frank Turning Robe taught those in the building the lessons of Blackfoot drumming.
The lesson was concluded with the start of the round dances.
Photo of Jason Running Rabbit preforming at AFCC Tradition Round Dance
Photo of Métis Youth Jigger Gabriel
Photo of Round Dance
Photo from Drummer’s perspective
Night Market
Only a few blocks north from the CJWE station, between 16th North and Centre Street was the first
Harvest Hills Community Night Market.
The Market included 14 vendors from Calgary including Shepherd Originals who was also asked to open the Market with a prayer and blessing to honor National Indigenous Peoples Day.
Verna Shepard shared how being able to start the market off in the traditional way was not only an honor but an important part of their healing journey through Reconciliation.
Photo of Shepard Originals
National Indigenous Peoples Day has concluded but there are still many celebrations of Indigenous Culture going on as Aboriginal Awareness Week and National Indigenous History Month are still in full swing.
Visit the CJWE Community Calendar to stay up to date for on going events. Read more about other events in Calgary
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