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National Day of Truth and Reconciliation coincides with Orange Shirt Day. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)
moving forward

Tri-community hosting events Thursday to recognize truth and reconciliation

Sep 29, 2021 | 5:00 PM

Residents of the tri-communities are invited to come together Thursday to recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

The day will begin with a free come and go pancake breakfast at La Ronge’s Kikinahk Friendship Centre between 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. The first 200 people will be served and COVID restrictions such as wearing masks will apply. The pancake breakfast is made possible by a donation from Lake Country Co-op.

Starting at 9 a.m., events organized by the Lac La Ronge Indian Band will begin with a pipe ceremony at the urban reserve. Then, at 9:30 a.m., an awareness walk will start from the Elder Catherine Charles Long-Term Care Home in Bells Point, move past both band schools and end around noon at the urban reserve.

“We will be providing a lunch of hot dogs, burgers and cold beverages for those participants, and then at 1 p.m.,we are going to hold afternoon activities,” said Lac La Ronge Indian Band cultural support manager Lillian Sanderson. “We will have our traditional camp set up. We will be providing an opportunity for our community to discuss or talk about their own experiences. We will have Elders, mental health therapists and different activities.”

The event will also include a COVID-19 vaccine clinic and an open mic session for anybody wanting to share their story. It will end with a round dance featuring songs and drumming.

“Everybody is invited. It is for all of us to honour this history,” Sanderson said. “Truth and reconciliation is about Canada, our Indigenous Peoples, our non-Indigenous Peoples, our newcomers. It’s for everybody to share a piece of our history, our experience, to move forward in making things better for all of our people.”

The La Ronge Ice Wolves will face off against the Battlefords North Stars at 7:30 p.m. at the Mel Hegland Uniplex and players will wear orange jerseys to raise awareness and funds for a yet to be announced cause. Fans are also encouraged to wear orange.

A number of organizations and businesses in the tri-communities will be closed tomorrow including staff with the Alex Robertson Public Library, Northern Lights School Division, Northlands College, Canada Post Office, Electric Waves, LA Interior Solutions, Robertson Trading and Watt Agencies. Many services will be unavailable with the Town of La Ronge and essential municipal staff will be given a day off in lieu.

derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @saskjourno