Community Kicks Off a Month-Long of Activities to Promote Reconciliation

The City of Saskatoon, Office of the Treaty Commissioner, Saskatoon Tribal Council, Central Urban Metis Federation Inc., along with 29 supporting organizations, today launch a month-long series of events to promote Reconciliation in Saskatoon. The events are intended to engage and inspire citizens on what it means to reconcile and find their own personal call to action.

Saskatoon has committed to responding to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s (TRC) calls to action, beginning with a proclamation by City Council on June 22, 2015 declaring 2015/2016 the Year of Reconciliation.

The month-long schedule of activities will give Saskatoon residents an opportunity to:

• listen to the stories of survivors and their families,
• learn about our history, about residential schools, in a safe environment that is open and accessible to all,
• show-up to support events for Reconciliation, and
• share your personal response to the calls to action with friends and family using #ReconciliationSK.

The schedule culminates in a two-day celebration. On June 21, National Aboriginal Day is open to all who want to celebrate our Indigenous community, enjoy food, entertainment and education in Victoria Park. On June 22, a Day of Reconciliation begins with the "Rock Your Roots" Walk inviting everyone to celebrate and display their unique cultural heritage. BBQ and entertainment follow in Victoria Park.

For more information on events, or to have your Reconciliation event added to the calendar, please visit OTC.ca.

Quotations

“The next month of events is an excellent example of how Saskatoon can work together to keep Reconciliation moving forward to future generations.  The organizations involved in these events are setting the foundation to the work we can all do together to improve our relationships and be all inclusive.”

• Felix Thomas, Chief, Saskatoon Tribal Council

“This Year of Reconciliation is part of a long journey. I am proud of our decades of economic success with Urban Commercial Reserves under the Treaty Land Entitlements. Now we need to take that formula for success and apply it to our social and cultural relationships to ensure that every citizen has a better understanding of Reconciliation and its importance in our community.” 

• Saskatoon Mayor Donald Atchison

“Reconciliation is a process of opening up our hearts to be inclusive of all cultures and religious beliefs. A process of understanding that we may be unique but can still live and work together in harmony. Our call to action paves the path for future generations.”     

• Shirley Isbister, President of the Central Urban Metis Federation Inc.

“Reconciliation is the restoration of a friendship after an estrangement. It does not require agreement on every aspect of how to live together. It is not an apology that has been accepted once offered. Rather, it is about the process of coming together—a conscious choice that the future will be better if we work through difficulties and differences with an openness to hearing about, and responding to, the harm that has occurred.”

• Past-Treaty Commissioner George Lafond

The City of Saskatoon’s commitment to the TRC’s calls to action supports the City’s Corporate Strategic Goal of Quality of Life by identifying actions for enhancing Aboriginal well-being and participation in our community.