Reconciliation Melfort and Melfort Youth Evolution provide gift to Darryl Burns of James Smith Cree Nation to bring back to his community (submitted photo/Lori Constant)

By Ben Tompkins

Melfort Reconciliation

Melfort honours NDTR in more ways than one

Sep 30, 2023 | 5:28 PM

The City of Melfort was doing its best to honour the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation this weekend.

On Friday, the community gathered at the Melfort & Unit Comprehensive Collegiate track to acknowledge, reflect, learn, and connect.

The event included a guest speaker in James Smith Cree Nation native Darryl Burns, the Digging Bear Drumming Circle, a round dance, a community walk to the Memorial Garden on Main Street, some closing words and a handshake circle, as well as fellowship and refreshments.

“It was just a really humbling and heartfelt day,” said Lori Constant, member of Reconciliation Melfort (who helped plan the events). “Darryl spoke about his thoughts about the residential school legacy and going forward and reconciliation, which was a very interesting talk from him. It was also very humbling as there was a lot of food for thought in there.”

“We also had two students from MUCC who have connections to the indigenous community who were carrying the flag, and lots of community members came out, so it was really nice to see the support,” she added.

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As for today (Saturday), the Marguerite Riel Centre is holding a viewing of the film ‘Bones of Crows’ at the Kerry Vickar Centre, and the Melfort Mustangs are hosting an orange shirt game.

“I just think that all of these pieces go to show you that our community is interested in reconciliation and learning more and knowing more and doing more, and I think that’s a wonderful thing,” Constant told northeastNOW.

Throughout Melfort this month, there have also been a number of story walks that people have been able to participate in.

Constant said those walks have been thoroughly enjoyed, especially by the younger generation.

“I come from a generation where there was no education, so getting our youth educated, learning, talking, seeing, and experiencing is going to make a difference in our community and in our greater society.”

A number of businesses throughout town also tried their best to join in solidarity, posting stories in their stores that taught about truth and reconciliation.

Meanwhile, the Reconciliation Melfort group is focused on continuing this education, past just the month of September.

They are planning blanket exercises during October and are challenging everyone to wear an orange shirt on the last Friday of every month, to serve as a continuous reminder.

“I just want to thank our community and I encourage everyone to just be open and think and build that awareness and that education piece because that’s what’s going to move us forward… this weekend was a beautiful few days, I cried, I felt joy seeing so many kids around, I cried some more, and I felt hope.”

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news@northeastnow.com

On Twitter: @BenTompkins_8