Truth and Reconciliation week an opportunity to learn

By Lethbridge Herald on September 23, 2025.

Alexandra Noad
Lethbridge Herald
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Sept. 22 is widely known as the first day of fall, it is also the anniversary of Treaty 7 and the kick-off for Truth and Reconciliation Week.

Truth and Reconciliation Day has been observed as a federal statutory holiday, with many provinces such as British Columbia, Manitoba, P.E.I. as well as all three territories, also adopting the statutory holiday.

The City of Lethbridge held an opening ceremony at City Hall on Monday, which included speeches from delegates representing both Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities.

Julius Delaney, an elder from the Blood Tribe, spoke to the media regarding reconciliation and says it should be the celebration of how the Indigenous people have been able to adapt to colonialism while also maintaining their language and traditional ways.

“We really adapted quite well, but maintaining our language, that’s the key. The key to our culture is how we view the world.”

During the opening ceremony, Mayor Blaine Hyggen shared an experience he had at a blanket ceremony a few years ago, which changed his perspective on reconciliation.

“I remember one elder in particular placing a hand on my shoulder and saying, ‘it’s not about guilt, it’s about responsibility.’”

Both Lethbridge Polytechnic and the University of Lethbridge will be hosting events throughout the week to help students and faculty better understand reconciliation.

One of these events was a speech at the university by Leroy Little Bear, vice-provost of Iniskim Indigenous Services, about what Treaty 7 really is.

He explained that, while some people think of treaties as an event which happened decades ago, Indigenous people, as well as the Supreme Court, view treaties as a relationship which evolves over time.

“The court is saying ‘you cannot look at those treaties as frozen in time; they (have) evolved (over time).’’’

He added that treaties can only be between two sovereign nations, so treaties with the Indigenous nations such as Treaty 7 are  between the Crown and the nations. 

This also means that entities such as Alberta, which is a part of Canada, is unable to sign treaties.

The university will be hosting another speaker on Thursday who will speak on historic land management practices of Indigenous Women as well as other activities throughout the week to promote reconciliation.

There are many other events in which community members can take part, including a community feast on Friday, an Indigenous music festival in Festival square, and sport demonstrations by Lethbridge Sport Council at Legacy Park on Saturday.

A full list of events can be found on Reconciliation Lethbridge’s Facebook page.