News Releases

The Rock Your Roots Walk for Reconciliation has been rescheduled for September 30, following the cancellation on June 21 due to extreme weather. The event will take place on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (September 30) between 10:00 and 11:30 a.m. The walk will begin at Central Urban Métis Federation Inc. (CUMFI) and end at the “Where our Paths Cross” Reconciliation Circle art installation in Victoria Park (across the road from 422 Spadina Cres W).

“The significance of a walk can be attributed to the Sunday walks in residential schools; this was often the only time when siblings and cousins of different genders might be reunited,” says Judy Pelly, a Residential School Survivor and member of the Rock Your Roots Walk organizing committee. “It’s meaningful to see Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples come together in this way.”

Rock Your Roots is put on by Reconciliation Saskatoon, which the City of Saskatoon co-chairs along with the Office of the Treaty Commissioner. The event, which has seen attendance in the thousands in past years, was first held in 2016. The intent of this event is to answer the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's Calls to Action by demonstrating a commitment to Reconciliation, honouring Residential School Survivors, and continuing work towards an inclusive community.

“This walk is an opportunity to learn about and honour First Nation and Métis residential school survivors,” says Shirley Isbister, President of Central Urban Métis Federation Inc. (CUMFI). “It’s an inclusive event that welcomes everyone to come out and participate. We look forward to being together.”

Individuals of all ages are invited to attend—alone or as part of a group. Workplaces and other organizations are encouraged to send a team and invited to come outfitted with banners showcasing their organization’s support for Reconciliation. Many schools will be closed for the day in honour of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation which presents an opportunity for parents to bring their children and partake in this powerful Reconciliation event together. Cultural performers will 'rock their roots' to start and end the walk, sharing their culture and showcasing Saskatoon's incredible diversity.

“Rock Your Roots is an opportunity to bring our community together to understand and be educated on residential schools and how they have negatively impacted Indigenous peoples,” says Saskatoon Tribal Chief Mark Arcand. “This walk is a symbol of Reconciliation and a commitment to change for the better, so that all people can have a good quality of life.”

“Rock Your Roots represents an acknowledgment of the multi-generational impacts of residential schools and a commitment to Reconciliation,” says Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark. “It’s a public demonstration of support for residential school attendees and those lost. It’s a promise to work towards a future that affords every member of our community equal opportunity.”

This event is open to all and there is no charge for participating. Walk participants are invited to wear their cultural dress or symbols, an EveryChildMatters shirt, or any other orange shirt. For the latest event information, follow the Rock Your Roots Facebook Event.

*This report includes road restrictions on Priority 1 (high traffic, high speed) streets only.

NEW

MILLAR AVE SB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM 48TH ST E TO 47TH ST E
(Construction)
Start: August 23, 7:00 a.m. End: August 24, 5:00 p.m.

CLARENCE AVE S NB & SB CURB LANES CLOSED AT GLASGOW ST
(Pole install)
Start: August 23, 9:00 a.m. End: August 23, 3:00 p.m.

8TH ST E EB MEDIAN & CURB LANE CLOSED FROM BROADWAY AVE TO DUFFERIN AVE
(Roadway patching)
Start: August 23, 9:00 a.m. End: August 23, 3:00 p.m.

CUMBERLAND AVE S ROAD CLOSED FROM TAYLOR ST E TO 1ST ST E
(Manhole Repair)
Start: August 23, 9:00 a.m. End: August 24, 4:00 p.m.

CUMBERLAND AVE N ROAD CLOSED FROM 1ST ST E TO 5TH ST E; INTERSECTION AT 3RD ST CLOSED
(Roadway patching)
Start: August 23, 10:30 a.m. End: August 23, 4:30 p.m.

RUTH ST E ROAD CLOSED FROM LOUISE AVE TO JARVIS DR
(Roadway patching)
Start: August 23, 10:30 a.m. End: August 23, 6:30 p.m.

NIGHTWORK

CIRCLE DR W NB LANES CLOSED AT 33RD ST W
(Bridge washing)
Start: August 23, 7:00 p.m. End: August 24, 6:00 a.m.

4TH AVE S NB CURB & PARKING LANES CLOSED FROM 20TH ST E TO 21ST ST E
(Vault roof replacement)
Start: August 23, 5:30 p.m. End: August 25, 9:00 p.m.

CIRCLE DR E WB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM FAITHFULL AVE TO IDYLWYLD DR N
(Concrete work)
Start: August 23, 7:00 p.m. End: August 29, 5:00 p.m.

MCORMOND DR SB LANES CLOSED FROM KERR RD TO HIGHWAY 5
(Road resurfacing)
Two-way traffic will be maintained in NB lanes
Start: August 22, 7:00 p.m. End: August 23, 7:00 a.m.

ONGOING

PRESTON AVE S NB MEDIAN LANE CLOSED FROM TAYLOR ST E TO 14TH ST E
(Pole painting)
Start: August 22, 9:00 a.m. End: August 23, 3:00 p.m.

RUTH ST E WB LANES CLOSED AT MUNROE AVE S
(SaskEnergy work)
Start: August 22, 9:00 a.m. End: August 23, 5:00 p.m.

CIRCLE DR E WB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM QUEBEC AVE TO NORTHRIDGE DR
(Concrete work)
Start: August 17, 7:00 a.m. End: August 23, 6:00 p.m.

DIEFENBAKER DR NB DRIVING & PARKING LANES CLOSED FROM LAURIER DR TO DOUGLAS CRES
(Sidewalk repair)
Start: August 2, 7:00 a.m. End: August 24, 2:00 p.m.

RUTH ST E WB LANES CLOSED FROM LANSDOWNE AVE TO BROADWAY AVE
(Sidewalk repair)
Two-way traffic will be maintained in EB lanes
Start: August 18, 7:00 a.m. End: August 25, 6:00 p.m.

BOYCHUK DR NB PARKING LANE CLOSED FROM HUNTINGTON PL TO LAURENTIAN DR
(Pedestrian ramps)
Start: August 19, 7:00 a.m. End: August 26, 5:00 p.m.

1ST AVE N NB CURB & PARKING LANES CLOSED FROM 24TH ST E TO 25TH ST E
(Construction)
Start: August 22, 9:00 a.m. End: August 28, 5:00 p.m.

22ND ST W EB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM AVE E S TO AVE D S
(Sidewalk replacement)
Start: August 16, 7:00 a.m. End: August 30, 5:30 p.m.

33RD ST E EB LEFT TURN LANE & WB MEDIAN LANE CLOSED AT WARMAN RD
(Construction)
Start: August 20, 7:00 a.m. End: September 2, 5:00 p.m.

MCORMOND DR ROAD CLOSED AT BRIGHTON BLVD           
(New road construction)     
Start: June 6, 7:00 a.m. End: September 9, 5:00 p.m. 

All restrictions will be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

For more information about current road restrictions and construction, visit saskatoon.ca/construction.