Hoop dancer Lawrence Roy Jr. performs at Prince Albert's Canada Day celebrations. (Teena Monteleone/paNOW)

By Teena Monteleone

Oh Canada

Canada Day celebrations include time of reflection for many

Jul 1, 2022 | 5:43 PM

While Canada Day celebrates the creation of the nation, for many Indigenous peoples it’s a reminder of what was taken from them.

At the celebrations along the riverbank in Prince Albert, Reina Morin and her three children all wore orange shirts to represent the ‘Every Child Matters’ movement. She said, for herself, the day is about remembering the children left behind and the adult survivors who are still healing from the trauma of Indian residential schools.

“I’m showing my kids that we can all come together as one and we can all be equal and united,” Morin said.

Reina Morin and her children recognized the Every Child Matters movement this Canada Day. (Teena Monteleone/paNOW)

One of the first performers at the event to take the multicultural stage was Lawrence Roy Jr., whose family is from Green Lake and Kawacatoose First Nation. The hoop dancer told stories through his movements and created shapes with up to 30 hoops at a time representing animals, symbols and spheres. Like Morin, Roy said Canada Day is a time to reflect.

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“On Canada Day it feels like I just wanted to express my feelings for the ones that can’t dance…the ones that are important in our hearts, but they aren’t here to dance. Inside my heart, it makes me feel better,” Roy said.

Those who attended the celebration on Prince Albert’s riverbank enjoyed arts and crafts, games, food trucks, and performances on the main stage featuring Métis and Latin music among others. A fireworks display will take place in the evening, around 10:30 p.m.

The annual Canada Day parade was held in Waskesiu. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW)

Other events took place throughout the region including Candle Lake and Waskesiu where a large parade was held. A drive-in fireworks display on the Melfort fair grounds is scheduled for 10:30 p.m. as well. Country singer Gordon Bamford is performing at the Northern Lights Palace Saturday night. In the city of North Battleford, the fireworks display will start on King Hill after dusk.

Canada Day parade at Waskesiu, SK. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW)

Canada Day in the nation’s capital

Governor General Mary Simon made her first Canada Day address calling on Canadians to work together to build an inclusive society. She said Canadians should remember to keep working together and commit to a country where everyone truly belongs.

Meanwhile, crowds of people cheered as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made several veiled references to protesters who are back in Ottawa this weekend demonstrating against pandemic restrictions at the Canada Day party in Ottawa.

Trudeau says there is no challenge too great if Canadians face it together, and that is what the flag represents.

-With files from the Canadian Press

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panews@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertNOW