Reconciliation Week plans set

The first Lethbridge Reconciliation Week will begin Monday and run through next Saturday.

The week-long event is organized by Reconciliation Lethbridge, which is comprised of the Lethbridge Indigenous Sharing Network and the City of Lethbridge. The purpose is to foster education, awareness, and relationship-building with the focus on reconciliation.

An official launch and flag-raising ceremony will take place on Tuesday at city hall. It will kick off with a pipe offering at 8:30 a.m., followed by welcoming remarks from dignitaries at 9:30 a.m., a Healing Dance and Honour Song, and the flag-raising ceremony.

A Reconciliation Walk will follow at 10:45 a.m. from city hall to the Galt Museum, where the presentation “What is Reconciliation” will take place with Beverley Jacobs, former president of the Native Women's Association of Canada.

In addition, city hall will be lit up in support of Reconciliation Week in yellow, red and blue from Monday to Thursday.

From Monday through Friday, the Interfaith Chinook Country Kitchen is holding “Cooking for Reconciliation” with morning and afternoon sessions. To register, call 403-320-8138.

On Tuesday evening, a showing of the locally-produced documentary “Where Is Home?” will be held at the Lethbridge Public Library Theatre at 7 p.m.

On Wednesday is the Métis Local open house (909 3 Ave. N.) from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Residents are invited to come and learn about Métis culture, including the Michif language.

On Friday, Sept. 22, “Coming Together” is a full-day event open to all in the Civic field (behind the YMCA). It will feature teepee learning sessions, a community feast and a friendship dance from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The theatre production “New Blood,” featuring traditional and contemporary poetry, song and dance, is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 23, at Casa at 7 p.m. Tickets are $12 and available on Eventbrite.

For more information, visit “Reconciliation Lethbridge” on Facebook.