Hundreds take part in Calgary’s Walk for Reconciliation
Posted Jun 21, 2023 9:30 am.
Last Updated Jun 21, 2023 9:45 am.
Hundreds of people are making their way through Calgary’s downtown core Wednesday morning in the Walk for Reconciliation on National Indigenous Peoples Day.
It’s an event that addresses inter-generational wounds.
People stand with signs during the 14th annual Walk for Reconciliation in Calgary on National Indigenous Peoples Day, June 21, 2023. (Logan Stein, CityNews image)
A drummer from Siksika Nation taking part in the walk, Darcy Turning Robe, says his family has endured much pain.
“My grandfather being part of those devastating horror stories we all know of and my grandparents, we’re descendants of them, and just to show people we still have our culture even though we had to go through all those travesties,” he told CityNews.
He says there is a sense of pride in sharing a culture that the government once tried to destroy.
Read more: Calgarians set to mark National Indigenous Peoples Day
Tiffany Pompana is one of the people moving from the Harry Hayes building to Fort Calgary.
“It’s an important day for people to come together, not only for Indigenous people, but people from all walks of life to come out and celebrate and recognize Indigenous people and who we are and our place in Canada,” she said.
She adds Canadians need to learn more about the Indigenous experience.
The Walk for Reconciliation is underway.
Hundreds of people are walking for national Indigenous Peoples Day, raising awareness of the history of residential schools in Canada and the legacies of survivors.
Tune into @citynewscalgary for our coverage today. #yyc #Calgary pic.twitter.com/i0UA3RTNJi
— Logan Stein (@L0ganStein) June 21, 2023
The walk began in 2009 as a partnership between Trellis Society and the Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Calgary to commemorate Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s formal apology to the survivors of Indian Residential Schools, according to the organizers.
Other events are taking place to mark National Indigenous Peoples Day throughout the city, including a tipi transfer at Prince’s Island Park.
-With files from Logan Stein
