Swift Current walks on The Path Forward with reconciliation event May 11-12

The Swift Current and Area Truth and Reconciliation Committee hosted a two-day event called Reconciliation – The Path Forward on May 11 and 12 to explore truth and reconciliation both from a historical perspective and the way forward.

The format for each day consisted of a morning program of speakers at Great Plains College followed by a walk to nearby Market Square in downtown Swift Current for an outdoor program and lunch. There was also an event with featured guest speakers in the evening on each day at the Swift Current Branch Library.

Elders Dale Mosquito and Larry Oakes spoke about the history of Nekaneet First Nation during the morning and evening programs on May 11.

Saskatchewan Lieutenant Governor Russ Mirasty spoke at and participated in the morning activities on the first day. Royce Pettyjohn, a citizen of the Métis Nation of Saskatchewan, made a presentation about the history of the Métis during the morning and evening programs on May 12. He spoke specifically about the Métis presence in the Cypress Hills areas and he shared stories from his own family history.

Each day’s outdoor program included the reading of several of the 94 calls to action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s final report and a round dance involving all attendees. There were pow wow dances by Nekaneet First Nation dancers on May 11 and the Qu’Appelle Valley Square Dancers performed on May 12.

The Swift Current and Area Truth and Reconciliation Committee includes representatives from various organizations as well as community members. It has been hosting annual events for the past five years as a way to put into practice the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s call on Canadians to explore the past as a way to build a strong future for everyone.

Previous events also had a learning and cultural component to them, and themes included residential schools, the Sixties Scoop, missing and murdered indigenous women and girls, what does reconciliation mean to you and a Treaty flag raising ceremony.

Photos by Matthew Liebenberg/Prairie Post Pow wow dancers from Nekaneet First Nation perform the jingle dress dance during the ReconciliACTION outdoor program on Market Square, May 11. The lead dancer is Whitney Oakes. She is followed by Skyla Stanley (6) and Karissa Stanley (9).

Nekaneet First Nation elder Dale Mosquito speaks at the ReconciliACTION event in Swift Current, May 11. Seated, from left, Swift Current and Area Truth and Reconciliation Committee members Lisa Kuntz and Leanne TuntlandWiebe, and Nekaneet First Nation elder Larry Oakes.

Nekaneet First Nation elder Larry Oakes (at front) and Saskatchewan Lieutenant Governor Russ Mirasty lead a round dance on Market Square, May 11.

Pow wow dancer Delvin Stanley from Nekaneet First Nation performs the grass dance during the ReconciliACTION outdoor program on Market Square, May 11.

ReconciliACTION attendees participate in a round dance on Market Square with drumming by Nekaneet First Nation drummers, May 11.