Saturday marked the three-year anniversary of the Prime Minister Stephen Harper's apology, on behalf of Canadians, to the 150,000 aboriginals who suffered in this country's residential school system.
To honour the apology and to continue to move forward and understand the history and tragedy many experienced, people in the Battlefords and across Canada gathered to celebrate National Day of Healing and Reconciliation.
In North Battleford a group of over 20 met in the morning at the North Battleford Library to march in support of the day. Later, those who marched were met at Sakewew High School. There a barbecue, drum circle, musical performances, kids' games, face painting, a balloon release, a bouncy house and more were set up outside for everyone to enjoy.
The National Day of Healing and Reconciliation is a movement of people committed to moving forward collectively within the families and communities across Canada.
The day is a grassroots movement to focus on healing in all nations by addressing lingering issues resulting from past injustices based on culture, religion or race.
At the march, Janice Kennedy, executive director of Battlefords Tribal Council Indian Health, addressed those ready to march saying BTC Indian Health is not only there for those physically ill, but mentally and emotionally as well. Because of that Kennedy and volunteers quickly organized the day and made sure those in the Battlefords had an opportunity to celebrate and move forward as a community.
The idea of the day began in 1997 in Australia, as National Sorry Day, where similar to Canada, thousands of Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islander children were removed from their families.
For more photos from the day visit the photo album posted under the community tab.
