MOOSE JAW — Each year, Canadians are united in the spirit of reconciling past, present, and interpersonal differences as both Indigenous and non-Indigenous citizens come together to commemorate the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation as part of a shared journey forward.
The Wakamow Aboriginal Community Association (WACA) will honour the occasion this year with a day of celebration on Monday, Sept. 30 at the amphitheatre in Crescent Park.
The day will begin with a teepee raising ceremony set for 9:30 a.m. at the amphitheatre and the come-and-go event will conclude around supper with no set ending time.
The National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, WACA’s chair Clayton Getz explained, “helps to bring people together and (share) information on what has happened in the world.”
This year’s commemoration will include a teepee raising, a walk down Main Street, barbecue, and then dancers will perform and guest speakers will share a few words to explore the meaning and significance of the occasion. The teepee raising will also mark the first time WACA has officially set up a teepee during one of its events.
This year’s traditional powwow ceremony, however, won’t take place due to constraints from reorganizing efforts on behalf of WACA.
“(We are) just reorganizing (WACA) and bringing more people in,” Getz explained. “Our last chair left, so now I moved up and I’m just learning… and catching up. So yeah, that’s a big role…”
Previously, Getz served as the organization’s vice chair and earlier this year — he didn’t have the exact date committed to memory — he was promoted to the chair of WACA and supersedes Lori Deets. The role of vice chair has now passed to Shaytawna Hesjedal.
The drumming group and other performers who will attend the ceremony haven’t been confirmed yet, but Getz said he has an Indigenous elder and keynote speaker in mind.
The event’s barbecue will be provided free of charge by the Moose Jaw Police Service. Members will be serving hamburgers and possibly also hotdogs until supplies last. This partnership, Getz said, is quite meaningful for the Indigenous community.
“It helps with truth and reconciliation, and it’s showing that people are trying to help us… for the good cause and everything,” he said. “It’s bringing all of us together, (and) that’s the main reason —so we work as one.”
WACA is a non-profit organization that’s been operating in the community for nearly 15 years with the mission of fostering awareness of Indigenous culture in Moose Jaw and the surrounding area.
“Come on out and wear your orange t-shirt,” Getz said. “And come for the walk — the more, the merrier. I need more people to come out and do this walk because it’s really powerful.”
The starting time for the walk hasn’t been announced yet so an update will be provided when this has been confirmed. All guests are invited to wear their orange shirts in support of Truth and Reconciliation.
Everyone’s welcome to attend the ceremony and the teepee raising will begin at 9:30 a.m. To arrive with plenty of time to find seating, Getz recommends showing up at 9:00 a.m. or shortly thereafter. Attendance is free but donations are always welcome.
The event will be held at the Crescent Park amphitheatre, located at the north end of the park and adjacent to the intersection of Athabasca Street East and Second Avenue Northeast.
