(Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Truth and Reconciliation

‘You’re all here today to break that cycle’: Truth and Reconciliation walk held in Prince Albert

Sep 30, 2021 | 5:00 PM

Over three dozen people, including Elders, young children and city officials, took part in a special five-kilometre walk in Prince Albert on Thursday.

The event was held as part of the first-ever National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Organizer Cory Guy explained each step made by the walkers had a special significance.

“The 5K walk generally symbolizes the number of children they would have found searching these residential areas,” he said.

Noting a similar event being held in Kamloops, to honour the 215 lives lost at a residential school in that area, Guy explained it was important for him to show solidarity and that’s why Thursday’s walk concluded at exactly 2:15 p.m at City Hall. He added in order for us all to move forward, it’s important we all contribute.

“The whole concept, it is bigger than you or I and words can’t explain. It’s the actions,” he said.

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Noting the importance of honouring her own ancestors, Nina Guy explained it hasn’t always been this way and added you don’t truly understand the impact of residential schools until it’s pointed out to you.

“My father went to a residential school and we grew up without culture, and so now to be proud of our culture, to stand up and say ‘hey look I’m Indigenous and I’m proud and nobody can take that away from me,” she said.

Passing on the message to the next generation

A number of small children proudly took part in Thursday’s walk, all wearing bright orange shirts, but do they know why?

Bethany Leachman brought her two young sons and explained she is open and honest with them.

“I won’t go into detail but I do openly talk with them about what went on in the past,” she said.

Tyler Kowalsky was walking with his one-year-old daughter and said we can all benefit from learning about the past.

“That’s why I’m here as well. To be able to get that knowledge, and pass it down to her,” he said.

Ward 1 Councillor Charlene Miller is smudged by Cory Guy, prior to Thursday’s walk. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

Conrad Burns, another event organizer, explained to the participants prior to the walk that they could all play a part in ensuring the wrongs of the past are not repeated, by educating themselves and their children about the events that transpired at the residential schools.

“You’re all here today to break that cycle,” he said.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell