It was a windy morning as people came together to raise a flag and march down Main Street for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
“I think most of us had limited experiences growing up where events like this didn’t exist.” says Stephanie Hadley with the Stettler & Area Friendship Circle.
“There wasn’t an awareness about some of the impacts of colonization and some of those systems that were in place, such as the residential school system. There’s a rich history here, and that’s something we’re happy to talk about or provide resources to people so they can learn more about that.”
Following the flag-raising, the public was invited to the Hub at the Rec Centre to take part in a drum circle, & learn about Indigenous cultural traditions.
“National Day For Truth and Reconciliation is definitely something that we should be thinking about every day, but it’s nice to come together on September 30th, and have ways for people to engage, to be able to talk with them and provide information.”
If you’d like to get involved with the Stettler & Area Friendship Circle, they meet on the third Wednesday of the month at the Alberta Communities Against Abuse (ACAA) office on Main Street at 6:30 PM.
Author: Landin Chambers
Landin Chambers is a news reporter for Hometown Media Stettler. He has a background in broadcast news, with previous roles in Prince George, Red Deer and Calgary. You may also see him as a cameraman for the Stettler Wildcats and Stettler Imperials. Have a story idea? Email: lchambers@htproductionsmedia.ca
