MacEwan University and the City of Edmonton hosted a peace walk from the kihêw waciston Indigenous Centre to City Hall, in honour of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

The event was a powerful opportunity to reflect on the past, learn from it and grow into the future.

Once everyone gathered at City Hall, Dr. Annette Trimbee, president and vice-chancellor of MacEwan University, shared her thoughts on the significance of the day.

“Ten years ago, when I was president at the University of Winnipeg, we hosted a special viewing event to hear the 94 Calls to Action for the first time. Justice Murray Sinclair, who led the commission, joined us virtually, and I remember the joy, pride and hopefulness in the room. We understood the importance of the report and embraced the possibilities it presented for the relationship between Canada’s Indigenous people and non-Indigenous people who call this country home,” she said. “Reconciliation and education are intrinsically linked in the Calls to Action, which is why I’m so proud to be partnering with the City of Edmonton to host this peace walk.”

Two residential school survivors, Patrick Lightning and Tom Snow, who is a Knowledge Keeper/Facilitator at kihêw waciston, shared their stories – a powerful reminder of the devastating impact of the residential school system and the importance of truth and reconciliation as well as the Calls to Action.

The event ended in song, with a drum group and Daphne Alexis, Knowledge Keeper/Facilitator with kihêw waciston, sharing their music, followed by bannock and tea.