The march was one of several events in the city this week, including a family day powwow at Enmax Park
National Indigenous Peoples Day was observed across the country Friday, including in Calgary where hundreds of people walked from downtown to the Confluence Historic Site (formerly Fort Calgary) in the 15th annual Walk for Reconciliation.
Many wore orange “Every Child Matters” T-shirts, to raise awareness and understanding of residential school atrocities and Indigenous issues.
The march was one of several events in the city this week, including a family day powwow at Enmax Park and the awarding of the Chief David Crowchild Memorial Award (from the Calgary Aboriginal Urban Affairs Committee and the City of Calgary) to Deborah Green. The sought-after speaker has more than two decades of experience in diversity and Indigenous HR solutions and employment issues. The winner of the Isgaakuwa (Young Persons) award was Magel Labelle, who is dedicated to his education and community involvement, with hopes of using his passion for music as a pillar to open his own music studio for vulnerable youth in the future.
“I hope that this award will inspire other Indigenous youth to follow their passions, to embrace their identities, and to contribute to the positive changes that are happening in our communities and across our country,” said Labelle.
Meanwhile, Lorelei Higgins, team lead for the Indigenous Relations Office at the City of Calgary said, “We continue to emphasize the importance of dispelling myths, reclaiming Indigenous identities and educating the younger generations. . . June is a celebration period and an opportunity for reflection and education.”
Here are images from today’s Walk for Reconciliation:
