News Releases

One more way to take Reconciliation action in conjunction with the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Registration has opened for the 8th Wîcihitowin Indigenous Engagement Conference. After two years of meeting virtually, this year’s conference will be held in person at TCU Place on November 28-29. There is also an option to attend virtually.

The Wîcihitowin Conference has been an annual event since 2014 when a group of organizations in Saskatchewan came together to imagine and deliver the first event. “Wîcihitowin” is a Cree/Saulteaux term meaning “to help each other/to work together”. 

“I attended a residential school from 1958 to 1969,” says Residential School Survivor and conference advisor, Eugene Arcand. “This conference is to honour and learn from Residential School Survivors and those that have survived with resilience from the Sixties Scoop. I want to thank everyone who chooses to participate because showing up matters and these conversations matter.”

The conference provides a platform for those with acquired or lived experience to share their teachings. It also provides a forum to share resources and tools to support culturally respectful organizations. The event is for anyone working towards respectful Indigenous engagement and inclusion.

“The City of Saskatoon has been a proud partner of this event since its inception,” says the City’s Director of Indigenous Initiatives, Melissa Cote. “The program is always exceptional and the perspective of speakers so vast and varied. We feel humbled to be a part of this important event that so many people look forward to each year.”

Between 2007 and 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada travelled to all parts of Canada to bear witness to residential school experiences; to create a permanent historical record; and to engage and educate the public about Survivor experiences and intergenerational impacts. The theme of the 2022 Wîcihitowin Conference will be Bearing Witness in acknowledgement of this critical aspect of Reconciliation. 

This year’s speaker line-up includes the Commissioners of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: The Honourable Murray Sinclair, Grand Chief Wilton Littlechild, and Dr. Marie Wilson. Conference attendees will also hear from Chief Cadmus Delorme, Chief of the Cowessess First Nation, and others who are demonstrating leadership in the area of Reconciliation.

Executive-in-Residence at the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy and conference emcee, Neal Kewistep, says: “Bearing Witness is something that didn’t end with the completion of the TRC’s work. In keeping with the oral traditions of Indigenous Peoples, witnesses are called upon to be the keepers of history when a significant event happens. Bearing Witness is a way to acknowledge, validate, and legitimize the Truth.”

Registration is available at wicihitowin.ca. For conference updates, you can also follow Wîcihitowin YXE on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. 

The Wîcihitowin Indigenous Engagement Conference is made possible through contributions by the City of Saskatoon, United Way Saskatoon & Area, Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy, Saskatchewan Health Authority, and Saskatoon Public Library. The organizing committee would also like to thank its many investors including Nutrien, the Saskatoon Community Foundation, Saskatchewan Health Quality Council, Discover Saskatoon, and many more.

The City of Saskatoon and Reconciliation Saskatoon are co-hosting a Pipe Ceremony & Survivors’ Flag Raising this morning to start the week that includes the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation.

“Our objective is to collectively set intentions for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and the Rock Your Roots Walk for Reconciliation,” says Pipe Carrier and Knowledge Keeper, Corine Eyahpaise. “We are coming together to reflect and also to set our sights on a brighter future for every member of this community.”

The flag being raised is the newly unveiled Survivors’ Flag, meant to honour Residential School Survivors and all the lives and communities impacted by the Residential School System in Canada. Each element depicted on the flag was carefully selected by Survivors from across Canada. Eugene Arcand – who attended St. Michael’s Residential School in Duck Lake, Saskatchewan and is now Chair of the Saskatoon Survivors Circle – was one of the Survivors consulted in the flag’s creation.

Eugene Arcand says: “On the flag, there is an incomplete circle that surrounds this image much in the same way that there are still many Truths to be told before we come close to understanding the impact residential schools had on Survivors, communities, and the entire nation. And there is a story yet to be told. We are at a point in time where we have to ask ourselves how we want our future generations to see what actions we have taken towards healing and reconciliation.”

The Survivors' Flag will be on display in Civic Square (off 23rd St E, between 3rd and 4th Ave N) until Oct. 3, 2022. Note that the Survivors’ Flag, and all flags in Civic Square, will fly at half-mast until Sept. 29 in recognition of Firefighters National Memorial Day and Police & Peace Officers’ National Memorial Day.

Orange Banner Project

During the Pipe Ceremony & Flag Raising, Saskatoon Tribal Chief, Mark Arcand and Saskatoon Mayor, Charlie Clark were invited to speak to the Orange Banner Project. The Orange Banner Project is an initiative to raise awareness about Reconciliation in conjunction with the second annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. It refers to the close to 250 orange banners with Reconciliation messages that were installed on light poles over this past weekend.

“The Orange Banner Project is meant to honour the children that didn’t make it home, the ones who made it home, and the ones that are still lost and away from the home fires,” says Tribal Chief Arcand. “By connecting the west and east sides of the city, the banners signify the need to build bridges throughout our city. It also takes us on a path of recognizing our relatives in the core neighbourhoods, along Spadina Crescent where many churches are located, and by the U of S as a symbol of higher education and a brighter future.”

The banners appear along the following route:

• Starting at 20th Street W where it intersects with Avenue P S
• Continuing east along 20 Street as far as Spadina Crescent E
• Continuing northeast along Spadina Crescent as far as University Bridge
• Restarting on the other side of University Bridge, heading east on College Drive
• Continuing along College Drive until Preston Avenue N

There are 10 different banners, reading as follows:

• Banner #1: More than 150,000 attended residential schools 
• Banner #2: Many never returned home 
• Banner #3: It isn’t just Indigenous history 
• Banner #4: It is our shared history 
• Banner #5: We are telling our stories 
• Banner #6: Every Child Matters   
• Banner #7: Over 160 years of pain 
• Banner #8: But together we can heal 
• Banner #9: Saskatoon Survivors Circle – ayacimoyok “We are telling our stories” 
• Banner # 10: Commitment to Reconciliation [Metis Survivors] 

“We wanted to reach as many people in our city as possible with this initiative,” says Mayor Clark. “We hope that people will make some time to walk along a piece of the route and take in the messages and reflect on them. This is an opportunity to continue building awareness and to create a sense of community since Truth and Reconciliation is up to all of us.”

The Rock Your Roots Walk for Reconciliation on Sept. 30 will take place along a portion of the Orange Banner Project route. You can learn more about the Rock Your Roots Walk at saskatoon.ca/Indigenous or by connecting to the Facebook Event.

The Orange Banner Project is an initiative of the Saskatoon Tribal Council and City of Saskatoon. The Rock Your Roots Walk for Reconciliation is organized by Reconciliation Saskatoon with support from the City of Saskatoon. 

The Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo (Zoo) is deeply saddened to announce the loss of Buddy, a 15-year-old grey wolf. Animal care and veterinary staff made the difficult decision to euthanize the geriatric wolf due to his declining health associated with his advanced age.

Buddy had been facing some geriatric health concerns including arthritis, kidney issues and failing vision. Staff had been closely monitoring and managing his comfort and care, but in recent months, Buddy’s condition declined significantly. Veterinary and animal care staff made careful adjustments to his medications and treatment plan to ensure Buddy’s comfort. However, his condition had progressed to the point that staff could no longer ensure his comfort and quality of life.  

Buddy arrived at the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo in 2007 and played an integral role in the educational programming at the Zoo inspiring guests, students and families to help conserve and protect this incredible species.

“Buddy loved to have visitors at the Zoo,” said Jeff Mitchell, Zoo Manager. “He would often come up to the glass to greet students and families with his unique whimper of excitement. He was an amazing ambassador for his species and will be missed by all who came to know him.”

The average life expectancy of a grey wolf is six to eight years in the wild and up to 15 years in zoological facilities. They grey wolf is classified as Least Concern on the endangered species list.

The Zoo has set up two commemorative signs outside the wolf exhibit at the Nutrien Ark. Everyone is welcome to write a message for Buddy, the signs will be on display until Tuesday, September 27.

Make this your year to volunteer and make a difference in your community by helping shape programs and services that matter to you.

We rely on citizen volunteers to bring their diverse backgrounds and expertise to participate on our boards, committees and commissions.

As a commitment of our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Action Plan, the membership of the City’s various boards, committees and commissions should reflect the community we serve, with each member bringing their perspective, guidance and advice. We welcome, support and value individuals for their differences, lived experiences, talents and contributions.

We are currently seeking volunteers for various City Boards, Committees and Commissions. As a member, you’ll  have opportunities to guide recommendations, and share your input, advice and expertise.

There are a wide variety of open positions on:  

• Diversity Equity and Inclusion Advisory Committee
• Municipal Heritage Advisory Committee
• Public Art Advisory Committee
• Saskatoon Environmental Advisory Committee
• P4G Saskatoon North Partnership for Growth – District Planning Commission
• Marr Residence Management Board
• Municipal Planning Commission
• Remai Modern Art Gallery of Saskatchewan
• TCU Place Board of Directors
• Board of Revision (& Licence Appeal Board)

Interested in contributing, gaining valuable experience and expanding your network of contacts? Apply before 5:00 p.m. Monday, October 4, 2021.

Our boards and committees are stronger through diverse membership. In working together, we make Saskatoon a better city.

Check the full list of vacant positions, descriptions of the ways you can contribute, or to apply at saskatoon.ca/boards.

As the city continues to grow, so too does the need to ensure sufficient water supply to all neighbourhoods. Construction of an underground reservoir in Evergreen is underway, just to the south of the McOrmond Drive and Baltzan Boulevard intersection.

Once operational, the Northeast Reservoir will collect and store water from the City's Water Treatment Plant and distribute it to the surrounding neighbourhoods of Evergreen, Aspen Ridge and Willowgrove.

“The Northeast Reservoir will have a total capacity of 43 million litres, which is equivalent to approximately 17 Olympic sized swimming pools of water,” says Russ Munro, Director of Saskatoon Water. “The water will be stored underground, and the site will include a pump station surrounded by grass and trees.”

Saskatoon has three other reservoirs that help deliver water to surrounding neighbourhoods: the 42^nd Street Reservoir, the Avenue H Reservoir and the Acadia Drive Reservoir.

Construction on the Northeast Reservoir is expected to be complete in December of 2023.

For more information about the project, visit saskatoon.ca/reservoir.