The Regina Exhibition Association Limited (REAL), City Officials, and the Chief of Cowessess First Nation partnered up to host Regina’s largest gathering for the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation.
Yesterday on September 29th, over 12,000 students, teachers, staff, and residents overtook Mosaic Stadium for the 5-hour event.
The organizers of the event said they believe that it was the largest gathering in Canada to ever come together for truth and reconciliation and it was the first time all of the school boards in Regina had students gathered in one place.
The event had musical and dance performances from the Creeland Dancers, Terrance Littletent and Family, the Regina Symphony Orchestra with Zoey Roy, Max Delorme, DJ Kookum, and the Snotty Nose Rez Kids.
There were also inspirational speeches and stories told from residential school survivors, speeches from Mayor Sandra Masters, the Chief of Cowessess Cadmus Delorme, the Governor General of Canada Mary Simon, the National Chief Assembly of First Nations Rose Anne Archibald, Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan Russ Mirasty, the CEO of FHQ Developments Thomas Benjoe, and Associate Vice-President (Indigenous Engagement), University of Regina Lori Campbell.
“This event is reconciliation in action,” says Simon in her speech.
“It’s walking together on a long continuous journey. We all have a role to play. Many of you, all the young people here today are discovering the world around you, you’re learning about the hardships indigenous people endured and the wonderful resilient spirit we possess.”
She continued to speak on how youth are continuing to learn about the history between Canada and Indigenous people and how the youth will build a better future.
“There is a movement happening and it’s time for us to continue to feed off that momentum. When that momentum grows, this country is going to grow stronger,” said Delorme.
The event also unveiled an orange seat in the stands of Mosaic Stadium in dedication to remembering Canada’s history and honoring truth and reconciliation. The seat was implemented by REAL and the Miyo Wiciwitowin organizing committee.
“It says that this seat will always remain empty so that someone as a non-survivor of the residential school program can join us at all of our best moments in southern Saskatchewan,” says President and CEO of REAL, Tim Reid.
The event ended around 1:30 pm yesterday, with high energy from the performance of the Snotty Nose Rez Kids.
Although this was Regina’s largest event for National Truth and Reconciliation Day, different businesses and organizations across the city are hosting a wide variety of events and initiatives in support of truth and reconciliation.
You can find more about other events here.
