NORTH BATTLEFORD - The Battlefords Indian and Métis Friendship Centre was one of the venues in the city to host events on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
People from across the community gathered at the centre during the noon hour for food, entertainment and also reflection of the negative impact of residential schools in Canada on First Nations people. There were addresses from Mayor David Gillan and Senator Jenny Spyglass, herself a residential school survivor from the school in Delmas.
The day included the carving of two cakes. On top of both were the words "Every Child Matters." The event ended with the release of orange coloured balloons into the sky.
It was just one of the events planned for the day. Later that evening Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs was recognizing the day with a fireworks demonstration on King Hill. A number of other events, including a flag-raising in Battleford. A walk through the streets in North Battleford as well as at The Ridge, took place the previous day Sept. 29.
Sept. 30 is both a federal holiday and also a civic holiday, with civic employees getting the day off. Flags were to fly at half staff in the city on that day.
