A DAY OF CELEBRATION

Hundreds mark the opening of Chief Mistawasis Bridge, Traffic Bridge

Some of the people attending the morning ceremony to mark Saskatoon’s new Chief Mistawasis Bridge complained about the colder than average temperatures.

Those complaints likely seemed insignificant for the group of 23 runners who had completed a twoday, 110-kilometre lance run from Mistawasis Nehiyawak, north of Saskatoon.

Leona Horsefall, who runs a running club in the community and took part in the run with her son, said the relay began at 11 a.m. Sunday in Mistawasis.

She said runners aged 10 to 35 took part in the run, taking turns holding a decorative lance.

The hundreds who attended the ceremony in a relatively remote part of the city heard the lance run is a historical ritual that conveyed information on treaty negotiations between the various First Nations.

“It was really hard,” Horsefall said in an interview on Tuesday. “The first day was snowing and we had to breathe in the cold air and try to run.”

The second day was even more difficult, Horsefall explained, as runners needed baths in Epsom salts and muscle rubs to keep going.

As if that weren’t enough, the run took place following a fourday fast.

Horsefall said she felt inspired as an Indigenous person after the ceremony to mark the opening of the new bridge.

“It’s amazing,” she said. “I feel proud that I’m a part of that.”

The bridge is named after the 19th century Cree chief who signed Treaty 6. The name was chosen to honour Indigenous history in the wake of recommendations from Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission to address the harmful legacy of Indian residential schools.

Several speakers at the ceremony expressed amazement and pride in the efforts of the runners.

“The weather was inclement, but they persevered,” Mistawasis Nehiyawak Chief Daryl Watson told the crowd.

Shirley Isbister, president of the Central Urban Metis Federation Inc., gave special recognition to the children who took part in the lance run.

She said that the changes needed for reconciliation with Indigenous peoples will be dependent on the youth.

“It’s the children that are going to change our city and the world,” Isbister said.

Residential school survivor Frank Badger, who is also Horsefall’s grandfather, marvelled at the accomplishment.

“The only time I ran was when I ran away from the school,” Badger said to laughter.

The Chief Mistawasis Bridge opened to traffic later on Tuesday. The bridge connects an extension of Mcormond Drive on the east side of the South Saskatchewan River with Marquis Drive on the west side.

The rebuilt Traffic Bridge that connects downtown with the Nutana neighbourhood was also celebrated Tuesday and opened to traffic later that evening.

LIAM RICHARDS The Chief Mistawasis Bridge officially opened Tuesday in Saskatoon. It was named for the Cree chief who signed Treaty 6.

LIAM RICHARDS Dancers take the spotlight during a ceremony at Chief Mistawasis Bridge on Tuesday.

MATT OLSON Mayor Charlie Clark, Central Urban Metis Federation president Shirley Isbister, and MLA Ken Cheveldayoff walk the Traffic Bridge.

LIAM RICHARDS Dignitaries cross the Chief Mistawasis Bridge. It is located in Treaty 6 territory and the traditional homeland of the Metis.

LIAM RICHARDS A large crowd celebrates the long-awaited Chief Mistawasis Bridge. Its name is intended to honour Indigenous history.

LIAM RICHARDS Elders try to stay warm on a chilly autumn day as they cross Chief Mistawasis Bridge ahead of the opening ceremony.

LIAM RICHARDS A group of young dancers took a flatbed across the new Chief Mistawasis Bridge prior to an opening ceremony Tuesday.