‘Honouring the survivors’: Calgary gets set to mark National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Various events will be held Tuesday at The Confluence in Calgary in observance of National Truth and Reconciliation Day. Tyler Barrow reports.

Several events will be happening throughout the city on Tuesday to mark National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (NDTR).

Beginning on Monday more than 20 teepee holders from Treaty 7 nations and community organizations are raising their teepee lodges at The Confluence Historic Site and Parkland, with many planning to spend the night. Teepee holder include both Indigenous- and ally-led organizations.

“We’ve invited First Nations and Treaty 7 Nations community members to come and put up their teepees as a reminder that Indigenous people and the community was here before the mounties arrived,” said Confluence president Jennifer Thomspon.

The teepee gathering kicks off the core two weeks of The Confluence event series 150 Years Later: Reflecting on Fort Calgary’s History. It commemorates 150 years since the North-West Mounted Police (NWMP) first arrived at the confluence of the Bow and Elbow rivers and established Fort Calgary in 1875.

Tuesday events

Events on Tuesday run from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. including a circle camp, letter writing for reconciliation, plays, and Elder storytelling. People attending are highly encouraged to wear to come wearing an orange shirt or other orange clothing items.

“With what the city is doing and what the Confluence is doing really speaks to the reconciliation that not only the city is doing, but also what the Confluence is doing. Means a lot to finally be recognized and knowing that the truths are actually coming out now and being heard,” said The Confluence’s event and program coordinator Blair Cunningham.

The Pokaiks Reconciliation Society will be hosting a commemorative walk and gathering, starting at the Peace Bridge at 11 a.m.

“We’re honouring the survivors of the residential school system, we really do want to remember the thousands of children who never made it home,” said Corrine Paul, with the Pokaiks Reconciliation Society.

After the event there will be drummers, youth performances. elder storytelling and other activities.

The University of Calgary will also be hosting a flag lowering ceremony to mark the importance of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. That gets underway at 8:15 a.m. outside of the northwest side of Rozsa Centre.