The nation’s fourth annual Truth and Reconciliation Day was recognized in both Lamont and Bruderheim Sept. 30 with indigenous dancers, drumming, singing and speeches.
The day commemorates those who died while attending residential schools in addition to those who survived, their families and communities.
The town of Lamont held a short service at Tawaw Park with indigenous elder Evelyn Day delivering a heartfelt speech driving home the day’s message of remembrance. Day, 73, said children were taken from their families in order to attend the residential schools while alcohol was given to the indigenous people in order to break them down.
“I’ve had so many people say to me, Evelyn, I could never, ever go through that. How did your people go through it? I said, well, one of the things that they gave them was alcohol. And I think that’s important for people to know that. (Their) rations was alcohol, things that will not help them build their spirit up,” she said, adding that sacred teachings have helped the people to spiritually heal.
“When we walk together, we walk together in harmony with the seven sacred teachings. That is what we have to work through, which takes a long time to do because of the genocide, the culture genocide, the spiritual genocide that our nations had gone through and is still experiencing it.”
Knowledge Keeper, Colleen Dollfusz, entertained the crowd of approximately 30 by singing an indigenous song along with drumming. She said it was her first performance being new to the instrument. Elected officials who attended the event included town councillors Al Harvey, David Taylor and Linda Sieker. Chief Administrative Officer Tyler Edworthy emcee’d the event while deputy CAO Dawn Nielson also attended.
Meanwhile, in Bruderheim, a crowd of approximately 15 people attended the evening event held in Walker School. Attendees included elected officials Mayor Karl Hauch, Deputy Mayor Wayne Olechow and councillor Dayna Jacobs in addition to staff members Sherry Cote, Jill Yanch and Natalie Quiajno Acosta.
Bruderheim’s Truth and Reconciliation event began with indigenous dancers, brothers Boomer Kewatin, 22, and Noble, 17. In addition to dancing, Boomer told stories and played the flute while Noble shared the Men’s Traditional Dance. Speakers from SevGen Consulting Inc. also delivered teachings on “How to be an Ally.”
Mayor Hauch said Truth and Reconciliation Day is necessary and important.
“Truth and Reconciliation Day is a day to reflect and to learn, and not just to enjoy a day off from work, and I think it’s important to recognize indigenous dance and traditional activities that natives do,” he said.
“I think getting out and learning and getting a chance to talk to folks is all part of Truth and Reconciliation Day, and I think that’s really important, and I’m glad to see lots of folks came out today to learn something awesome.”
Truth and Reconciliation Day began as a federal statutory holiday in 2021 with the provinces of B.C., MB, N.W.T, and the Yukon following suit. Although it is not a statutory holiday for the province of AB, employers can decide if they will give employees the day off.
JANA SEMENIUK
