The journey toward truth and reconciliation was emphasized by two community leaders on National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21. (NortheastNOW staff/ Rachel May)

By Rachel May

Path towards truth and reconciliation

We are very much still in the truth part: Looking towards the path of Truth and Reconcilation

Jun 22, 2023 | 12:00 PM

With a focus on bringing awareness to indigenous issues, the community has come together to recognize the progress and pitfalls that are happening in the community.

June 21 was National Indigenous Peoples Day and two community leaders spoke about the importance of the journey to truth and reconciliation.

Melfort and District Museum curator Gailmarie Anderson told northeastNOW that change begins today.

“I think that process is slowly happening. It’s an intergenerational process. So there’s a lot of education to be done, but I think that people are beginning to hear more about it.”

The events for National Indigenous Peoples Day gave the community an opportunity to come out and learn about the struggles facing the Indigenous community from Indigenous people.

Crime

P.A. Police investigating series of break-ins at local gun store

25m ago

broadband

Feds announce $105 million high-speed internet investment in Sask.

44m ago

Clean Drinking water

Minister planning to table First Nations water bill despite provincial opposition

2h ago

For those who are unsure where to start on the journey of learning, Anderson said that it all starts with the community around you.

“A lot of reconciliation is relationship building. That’s what we’re all about educating people so that we know the truth of what has happened and so that we can go forward in action together.”

Reconciliation Melfort Committee member Lori Constant explained that although people are recognizing their biases, it’s just the start of a long road to truth and reconciliation.

“We are very much still in the truth part. Our population here, we are still at that point where we still need to learn and listen.”

Reconciliation Melfort is a newer group in the community but they have already connected with other community groups and helped share indigenous traditions such as beading with the community.

Constant said that she is looking forward to the future of these connections.

“Relationships are so important and I feel very hopeful for our community. I feel very hopeful for our relationships with our neighbouring indigenous families that live in our community as well.”

One of the opportunities that took place at the National Indigenous Peoples Day event was a beading project that allowed all visitors to put beads on one of two long strings. One finished beading project will stay in Melfort and one will go to James Smith First Nation.

—

Rachel.May@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @RachelMayFM