(Candace Toma/City of North Battleford)

By battlefordsNOW Staff

Honouring and Remembering

North Battleford honours National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Oct 1, 2023 | 12:14 PM

There was something different about the night sky over North Battleford on Friday night.

More than one hundred residents gathered with First Nation Elders and Civic Leaders at the historic North Battleford Water Tower to reflect and honor those affected by residential schools leading to Saturday’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

As a special treat, the traditional white glow of the Water Tower radiated orange, the color most associated with the National Truth and Reconciliation Day.

The venture was made possible through a generous donation from Cenovus Energy and capped off a week of events culminating with Truth and Reconciliation Day Ceremonies in the Battleford’s area.

“(North Battleford city officials) knew that we had to replace the traditional lighting on the Water Tower as many of the lights were already burnt out and lots of wires were frayed,” said Candace Toma, Public and Intergovernmental Relations Coordinator of the City of North Battleford.

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“So, we saw this as an opportunity, with North Battleford now a member of the Coalition of Inclusive Municipalities, not only to light up the Water Tower with its traditional soft white lights but now we have the option to add some color to recognize symbolic events and dates such as the orange color for Truth and Reconciliation Day.”

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, also known as Orange Shirt Day, was first observed in 2013, to recognize the legacy of the Canadian Indian residential school system and to remember those who suffered at the residential schools and honor the memory of those who never had a chance to tell their story.

“Even though Truth and Reconciliation Day symbolizes a dark moment in Canadian History, it’s important that we learn from the past so that mistakes such as residential schools never happen again,” Toma added.

The orange lights will continue to illuminate North Battleford’s Water Tower until October 1st.

“It’s been a terrific week here in the Battleford’s area with many groups and organizations hosting special events and I understand that all the events have been well attended,” Toma noted. “(The Battleford’s) truly have some amazing people here and we cannot thank them enough for getting involved.”

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cjnbnews@pattisonmedia.com