A picture taken during a powwow at Flying Dust First Nation on Aug. 30, 2025. (File photo/meadowlakeNOW staff)

By meadowlakeNOW staff

NDTR

Meadow Lake to honour Truth and Reconciliation Day with ceremony, survivor voices and community gathering

Sep 27, 2025 | 7:00 AM

The North West Friendship Centre is preparing an afternoon of activities in Meadow Lake on Tuesday, Sept. 30, to mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Executive Director Benita Moccasin said the day is about more than looking back.

“We’re honoring the Truth and Reconciliation day, because it’s about justice, healing and moving forward, especially for communities that have been deeply harmed by systemic and state-sanctioned actions,” she said.

“It’s not just about the past, it’s about how society commits to a better future.”

The day will begin with an 8 a.m. pipe ceremony at Flying Dust Community Hall, followed by a 9:15 a.m. awareness walk from the Catholic Church to the community hall. Opening remarks and keynote speakers will follow, with lunch provided.

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From noon to 5 p.m., the Friendship Centre will host additional activities at Elks Park. Organizers plan to begin with a prayer, an honour song and a moment of silence, followed by live music, games and food.

A fish fry with bannock, face painting, crafts and door prizes are planned. Local vendors will sell beadwork, orange shirt pins and other handmade items.

Music will be provided by High Limit, a country band from Onion Lake First Nation.

Speakers will include residential school survivors and Micaela Champagne, who operates a business using ground-penetrating radar at former residential school sites.

“The question we ask is, ‘What does Truth and Reconciliation mean to them?’” Moccasin said. “It’s a very brief speaking engagement, like they are only allotting 10 minutes.”

She said it’s about making space for survivors.

“It just gives the victims a voice and allows them to be heard,” she said.

The event is supported by Meadow Lake Tribal Council, Waskoosis Safe Shelter, Métis Nation–Saskatchewan, the City of Meadow Lake, KidsFirst, the Meadow Lake Library and other partners.

Moccasin emphasized reconciliation is long-term work.

“I don’t think it’s just a one time thing,” she said.

“It’s an ongoing journey for all individuals and communities across the country to be mindful that it’s a continued journey of healing and about the truth that it really happened, and it does matter to continue with rebuilding the relationships and forgiveness and moving on to healing.”

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cjnbnews@pattisonmedia