The National Day of Truth and Reconciliation event scheduled to take place at Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park on Sept. 30 has been cancelled.
The event which was organized in partnership with Lheidli T’enneh was set to have drum groups, songs and speeches in the park to mark the first-ever National Day of Truth and Reconciliation.
“Due to current Public Health Orders and high rates of transmission in the Northern Health region, we do not feel that we can encourage large public gatherings at this time,” said organizer Wesley Mitchell.
COVID-19 cases in the region are reaching all-time highs with 1,165 active cases reported in Northern Health on Monday (Sept. 27).
Mitchell explains all vendors have been cancelled for the event, however, there will be an informal drum circle and honouring walk at 2:15 p.m.
Mitchell also encourages people to bring flowers to the memorial on display through the atrium window at the Exploration Place in memory of children discovered in unmarked graves at residential school sites across the country.
Mitchell says flowers can be dropped off between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
“We encourage you to wear your orange shirts and take time to reflect and learn about truth and reconciliation, indigenous culture and the history,” said Mitchell.
The federal government declared Sept. 30 a federal statutory holiday to commemorate the history of residential schools and recognition of the ongoing trauma to Indigenous people.
Sept. 30 has also been known as Orange Shirt Day in honour of the campaign’s founder Phyllis Webstad’s whose brand new orange shirt was taken from her when she was sent to residential school.
