In Photos: Students walk to honour First Nations Reconciliation in Education Day
It was a short walk, but it had a big impact.
Over 100 Edmonton Catholic and public school students braved the rain June 7 and walked from the Sacred Heart Centre school to the Victoria School of the Arts in honour of Reconciliation in Education Day.
The day’s events were organized by both school boards and the City of Edmonton. The walk is part of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action, one of which is the educating young generations about the harm caused by Canada’s residential school system and the need to promote Indigenous languages and cultures.
Elementary and junior high school students participated in the walk, which began in 2016.
The event also comes just days after the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls released its final report on June 3. The inquiry called the historical treatment of Indigenous women in Canada a “cultural genocide”.
On behalf of Mayor Don Iveson, Coun. Scott McKeen proclaims June 7, 2019 “Truth and Reconciliation Day” in Edmonton.
Kyle Greenham, Grandin Media
Grade 7 student Nadya Bigstone of Ben Calf Robe Catholic School says as a young Indigenous girl it is scary to hear terms like “genocide”. But she says the attempts to heal and bring people together such as the Reconciliation in Education Day give her hope for the future.
Kyle Greenham, Grandin Media
Students takes turns acknowledging that they are on Treaty 6 territory in various different languages, including Cree, French, German, and American Sign Language.
Kyle Greenham, Grandin Media
Students gathered at the Victoria School of Arts in honour of Reconciliation in Education Day.
Kyle Greenham, Grandin Media
Shirley Mykituk respects the findings of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. She hopes that the use of the term “genocide” does not undermine the fact that indigenous women are still empowered and thriving today.
Kyle Greenham, Grandin Media
Dean Cardinal leads the flag bearers for the Reconciliation in Education Day walk.
Kyle Greenham, Grandin Media
Glee club students from Monsignor Fee Otterson Catholic Elementary School perform “We Are Canada” at the Sacred Heart Centre.
Kyle Greenham, Grandin Media
Glee club students from Monsignor Fee Otterson Catholic Elementary School perform “We Are Canada” at the Sacred Heart Centre.
Kyle Greenham, Grandin Media
Hayley Volk, a Grade 8 student at Monsignor Fee Otterson Catholic Elementary School, was honoured to be a part of the Reconciliation in Education Day event at Sacred Heart Centre. “The things that were done in the past were not good, but what we’re doing right now is forward thinking,” she said.
Kyle Greenham, Grandin Media
Students of Prince Charles Elementary and Westmount Junior High schools perform a variety of songs at the Victoria School of Arts, including Woody Guthrie’s “This Land is Your Land”.
Kyle Greenham, Grandin Media
Students of Prince Charles Elementary and Westmount Junior High schools perform a variety of songs at the Victoria School of Arts, including Woody Guthrie’s “This Land is Your Land”.
Kyle Greenham, Grandin Media
Mary Cardinal Collins of Maskwacis spoke with fellow Cree elders about what reconciliation means to them. Collins says reconciliation means trying to set things right and make peace with one’s neighbours.
Kyle Greenham, Grandin Media
Along with the Reconciliation Walk, Cree prayers and various indigenous musical performances were also done.
Kyle Greenham, Grandin MediaThe event included prayers in Cree and various indigenous musical performances.
Shirley Mykituk, manager of Indigenous Learning Services with the Edmonton Catholic School District, says event shows that young people are dedicated to protecting the traditions of Indigenous people.
