White Feather event focuses on healing by educating public on Regina’s history

Sundance Robson aims to educate the public on truth and reconciliation by sharing Regina’s history of colonialism. (Sierra D'Souza Butts/CTV News)

Through storytelling, one Indigenous man is educating people on truth and reconciliation by sharing the history of the City of Regina.

held at Regina’s Lakeview United Church, the White Feather event focuses on colonialism and its impact on local Indigenous people today.

“I’ve been to a lot of different big cities in Canada. I have to say that North Central and the core are probably some of the most disturbed areas I’ve been in Canada, and for me, there’s a question of why,” said Sundance Robson, CEO and executive director of The Spirit Wealth Collective Corp.

Referencing the city’s original name “Pile of Bones” and its origin behind in, Robson said teaching Indigenous and non-Indigenous people about the city’s past can help build a positive future for change.

“Indigenous peoples identity was the land and the buffalo were part of the land. When you see marginalized neighborhoods, there’s a separation from land, but it’s not known like that,” said Robson.

“When we go through these neighborhoods, and sometimes we don’t, but what are you feeling when you go through these neighborhoods? I reckon to say that if people really knew who they were, this whole thing would be resolved almost overnight. People need to know who they are and the power they have within themselves to be able to create positive change.”

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With this being the first time the event happened inside a church, Robson said it is “symbolic” to Canada’s history of residential schools.

“This happened between the government and the church, it’s metaphorically symbolic of healing,” expressed Robson.

“It tells us that times have changed. It tells us that change is possible, and it also gives us an opportunity to continue to progress the message forward.”