Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre is hosting free community events from Sept. 26 to 30 to promote the second annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation this Friday, and recognize the inter-generational impact of Canada’s Residential Schools legacy and create bridges for reconciliation.
The first program leading up to Sept. 30 invites Cochranites and surrounding communities to participate in a national art-based project called Project Heart. The project will bring awareness to the history of Indigenous people in Canada and specifically commemorate those impacted by the residential school system. Everyone will colour wooden tiles that will be compiled into a large mosaic artifact.
On Sept. 30, SLS Family Sports Centre will host a public commemoration event to recognize past and present families who are impacted by the residential school system, and honour survivors, their families, and communities.
“We hope that the community will join us in this immersive cultural experience as a means to drive action and positive forward-looking dialogue about inclusion, mutual understanding, and respect,” SLS Family Sports Centre’s director of experience, Catriona Hill said.
The ceremony will take place from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. It will include a prayer and story from an elder, singing and drumming by the Rock Creek Drum Group, and Indigenous powwow dancers from Treaty 6 and Treaty 7 territories.
SLS Family Sports Centre invites everyone to attend and will offer free bannock and jam for the first 200 attendees.
An Every Child Matters day camp focused on cultural awareness and appreciation will also be offered.
For more information on the event or programming, please visit slsfamilysportscentre.com.
