Organizers Lisa Tacan and Delvina Whitehawk, along with a mighty volunteer crew, all wore matching ribbon skirts as they welcomed the community to an afternoon of heartfelt speeches and prayers, live music, arts and crafts for children, and a canteen featuring bannock burgers supplied by Kunshi’s Kitchen restaurant in Kamsack.
A security team was posted at the entrance gate where hand sanitizer and masks were handed out. A steady stream of families came and went throughout the day, keeping distance and enjoying live entertainment from lawn chairs and picnic blankets. The event featured speakers who touched on subjects such as ribbon skirts, missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, and the devastation of residential schools in Canada. Although much of the content was heart-breaking and painful to talk about, many of the speakers remained empowered and optimistic - citing compassion and understanding as integral components for healing in the future.
