National Day only the beginning for reconciliation

By Lethbridge Herald on September 30, 2024.

Community members help put up the Honouring Traditions and Reconciliation Society’s tipi during the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Monday afternoon at Henderson Lake Park. Herald photo by Alexandra Noad

Alexandra Noad – LETHBRIDGE HERALD – Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A pipe ceremony was hosted by the Honouring Traditions and Reconciliation Society during the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Monday at Henderson Lake Park.

Members of the community had the opportunity to watch a tipi raising as well as learn from an Indigenous knowledge keeper about pipe ceremonies and their significance to Blackfoot culture as part of the conclusion of Truth and Reconciliation week.

Society president Theron Black was recently transferred the tipi from an Indigenous knowledge keeper and says it was a blessing to not only have the knowledge keeper present, but also have the community gather to help each other understand in the spirit of reconciliation.

“It was a blessing to have them here and gathering people to work with each other, to understand each other as who we are,” said Black.

Les Vonkeman, a diversity officer with the community resource team of the Lethbridge Police Service who helped raise the tipi, said it was amazing to see the First Nations being recognized on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

“Canada’s finally recognizing that it’s important to include all the First Nations people in celebrating. And celebrating we’ve been here a long, long time,” said Vonkeman.

Vonkeman recalled his first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation was quite small, but over the years he has noticed many people coming together to participate and learn more about Indigenous cultures and while it’s just a start, Vonkeman hopes the awareness will continue throughout the rest of the year.

“This week, and this day, it helps bring awareness in the beauty of First Nations. I’d like to see 365 days of activities but like I said we’re building awareness,” said Vonkeman.

Black agreed with the sentiment that this only being the beginning for Truth and Reconciliation and offered the suggestion of creating relationships to help make it a part of daily life.

“It’s very important that we don’t just have a professional relationship, but as a friend. That’s (what’s) most important for our people,” said Black.

Black added it is through these relationships that allies are built, by being able to understand what problems Indigenous people face every day.

Another way Black believes people can apply Truth and Reconciliation into our daily lives is by allowing Indigenous run agencies to host events, especially during times such as Truth and Reconciliation week.

“We need to start looking at the Aboriginal people to actually do the events and not just have non-Aboriginal doing these events themselves. So, that’s what we need to start looking at and true reconciliation,” said Black.

Cindy Black, Theron’s wife and vice-president of the Honouring Traditions and Reconciliation Society, says Monday was a day to honour both the children who didn’t make it out of the Residential Schools and those who did, but were never the same.

“It’s important that we don’t forget them, we always honour them, not only today, but in everyday that we can. And extend a hand in building that relationship with the community and with others.”