Celebration, reconciliation on display for Canada 150

“But, I think even more important than that, it is an opportunity to think about the next 150 years and how we can come together as people or peoples.”

Festivities at the park kicked off Friday evening, with live entertainment and fireworks. Things got underway again Saturday at noon, with opening ceremonies, more music on the newly renovated Kinette Amphitheatre, kids activities from putt-putt to face painting and jugglers before the evening was capped with an extended fireworks display.

Some gravitated to the array of food vendors who peddled a diverse range of eats. Others sought shelter in the shade for a secluded picnic or family gathering. Hundreds more happily milled about the recently renovated park.

Most of these activities were free, which Lazarowich said could not be done without the help of countless sponsors, communities partners and the City. He added how some people “really count on it” for their celebrations as not everyone has the capacity to venture out of town.

As for celebrating Canada 150, Lazarowich said it was “important to celebrate 150 years of confederation” but believed a special recognition of the First Nations people who were here for centuries before was imperative.

“Now it is time for us over the next 150 years to make some serious and meaningful reconciliation,” he said. “Reconciliation is one piece of that but celebrating multiculturalism too. Not a lot of countries have the sort of demographic that we have and are open to this immigration and history we have. There is a lot to celebrate but there are many roads still to be travelled.”

This was true for many at the event, including Celine Pearson, who proudly presented the flag of the Found Du Lac First Nation.

“I am proud to be First Nations,” she said. “Canada, it brings all the nations together. It doesn’t matter what nationality you are. We need to all come together.”

Reconciliation takes stage

But not everyone in Canada was celebrating this weekend. Many First Nations protest groups popped up around the country to rebuke the colonial celebrations.

In Prince Albert, to recognize the diverse history of the nation, a Community Reconciliation Ceremony was held with members of the Prince Albert Grand Council who addressed the crowd Saturday evening.

“The time has come when a lot of young leaders have raised up and started saying we have to be recognized and we have to take what was given to us by our Creator,” Grand Chief Ron Michel said in a speech. “I hope I don’t offend but I hope that we will sit down and talk about how we can work.”

Despite acknowledging the progress that has been made, the chief said there was much more to be done. He was, however, optimistic for the next 150 years and believed youth would play a crucial role in reconciliation.

“We have to look at the younger generation really hard,” he said. “We have to start there.”

Michel was thankful for the opportunities many First Nations groups were granted to speak in parliament, and he welcomed the apology for residential schools.

Representatives from city council and both provincial and federal governments stood side-by-side with the First Nations leaders. Coun. Dennis Ogrodnick spoke on behalf of the city. He acknowledged the need to move forward on reconciliation.

“Our hope as a city and as city council is to work together to build an inclusive city and an inclusive nation.”

tyler.marr@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JournoMarr

by Tyler Marr

Celebration, reconciliation on display for Canada 150

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