Photo by Shane Clausing

By Curtis Galbraith

Orange Shirt Day

Events planned for Orange Shirt Day and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Grande Prairie

Sep 24, 2021 | 6:00 AM

Several events are planned for September 30 in Grande Prairie to mark both Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Shawna Livesey with the Grande Prairie Aboriginal Circle of Services says the organization has been able to partner with several other community organizations to host events.

“Veterans Memorial Gardens is having its event at 11:30 (a.m.), a smudge ceremony and lunch by donation. The Circle of Indigenous Students – Grande Prairie Regional College will start their online event at 12 p.m. and that’s over Zoom.”

“The Grande Prairie Friendship Centre has their walk and run at Muskoseepi park at 4 p.m.”

Livesey adds there will also be events at the Muskoseepi Park Amphitheatre that evening, including a free BBQ, dancers, music and presentations from several speakers.

“We’ll have a few speakers from a few survivors so that is something that we really wanted to do this year was to have people speak about their experiences and speak about their time that they’ve gone through and how they’ve worked through it and just send those messages to everyone in the community what that was like for them.”

Livesey says there will also be art displays, vendors, and a story walk.

She adds it will be an emotional time hearing the speakers but should also be a fun-filled and educational day.

Livesey says this will be a chance for the community to learn what truth and reconciliation means.

“This is the first time that we’ve seen in history that we get that national recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and what exactly that means for Canada and for our local people as well and what we can work on together.”

Livesey says it is nice to be heard. Her grandparents went to residential schools and there are small steps but good steps being taken after the Calls for Action were put out several years ago.

A full schedule of events can be found on the Orange Shirt Day Grande Prairie Facebook page.