A grand celebration is planned for Truth and Reconciliation/Orange Shirt Day in Whitecourt

On September 30, residents in communities across Canada will celebrate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation/Orange Shirt Day. Country-wide, activities of all kinds will take place, from ceremonies to parades, concerts, powwows and more. Locally, volunteers with the Whitecourt Indigenous Friends Society have big plans.

President Faye Myshyniuk said with the downtown street closure approved by Whitecourt Town Council back in August, their walk is greenlighted, and she can’t wait. “This year is going to be bigger and better than last year. Our plans start with a prayer and a walk, which will follow the regular parade route that residents are used to.”

The parade will start and end at Rotary Park. “Once our walk ends, we will have a feast and entertainment. We can’t wait for people to see what we have put together.” Myshyniuk said the MC is Don Burnstick, a name comedy fans might recognize. “He is a famous Indigenous comedian. He’s hilarious!”

With Burnstick on the microphone, Myshyniuk said they would have a full plate of performers. “We will have a Metis fiddler and jiggers, and he will teach people how to jig. We will have Chubby Cree again, just like last year. We will also have the drummer group from Alexis First Nation coming. They will be drumming and singing for us,” she explained. There will also be face paintings, and more things could be added ahead of the event.

Myshyniuk said that support from the community to run the event is greatly appreciated as the event is free for everyone to attend. “We received sponsorships to pay for the entertainers, which is great because they cost a pretty penny. We are still going to need sponsorships for honorariums and giveaways.” Giveaways are something that typically happens at events like this, said Myshyniuk. “The drummers sing a thank you song, and then we give the spectators and everyone in attendance a small gift. It could be anything, from, say, dish soap to a gift card. We just collect all kinds of things for giveaways and then give them out to the crowd. It’s done to thank people for coming.”

She hopes that community businesses and individuals will help make the event the best it can be. She also hopes to see many faces for the walk and afternoon festivities. “We’ve had generous donations already. IGA is donating $100 towards the making of stews, soups, and Bannock. Also, for desserts, pop and water.” She said No Frills was also looking to help.

The walk starts at 11 am. “We welcome the whole community. We are all in this together, and we are all human and are all one people—the more, the merrier. When we get our friendship centre going, it’s not just going to serve Indigenous people. It’s going to serve whoever walks through the door. Everybody is welcome,” said Myshyniuk.

She added that attending an event like this, even as a non-Indigenous person, is an opportunity to experience a different culture. “Take the opportunity to come and see what other cultures are like. Last year was the first time I ever went to a powwow, and I’m Indigenous! So, I would invite everyone to come out, mingle with elders, and learn a thing or two about a culture you might not know about. You can learn to jig. I think that’s going to be so fun.”

On top of sharing the beauty of Indigenous culture with residents, the day is also about bringing awareness to residential schools, survivors, and those who didn’t come home. “I want everyone to be aware so that we can work together towards reconciliation and healing for Indigenous people. That’s really important. I think they might have a better understanding of the whole thing if they attend. There are still a lot of people who do not understand, and I just want people to understand and help Indigenous people heal.”

With the event happening at Rotary Park, there was concern from the Town of Whitecourt that construction on the new exit/entrance could interfere. During the meeting on August 15, CAO Peter Smyl said they would work with volunteers to ensure everything worked out. “If something does happen that prevents it, due to the timing of construction, we will work with them on different locations that we would have in the area,” he said.

A sidewalk painting is an exceptionally colourful addition to the festivities this year. Council authorized the installation, and Myshyniuk said she could not wait to see it completed. The painting will be bright orange with feathers and permanent, lasting as long as the paint holds up, roughly a few years, with upkeep possible. It will be painted on the north/south intersection of 52 Avenue and 49 Street, near the library, starting September 10.

Anyone with questions ahead of September 30 or wanting to support the volunteers with donations can contact Faye by email at fayemyshyniuk@gmail.com. “We are all one nation. We are there to honour the residential school survivors and the children who didn’t make it home. We are all one. Coming together is important, and we want to see many people there with us.”