(File Photo/northeastNOW Staff)

By Mat Barrett

Canada Day Melfort

‘Move forward together with healing’: Changes made to Melfort Canada Day celebrations

Jun 29, 2021 | 1:00 PM

The City of Melfort, and their Canada Day committee has made a few changes to the Canada Day celebrations this week.

In light of recent revelations relating to residential schools in Canada, the city and the committee have decided to continue with celebrations but with a focus on recovery and the Indigenous communities in the area.

Brent Lutz, Melfort’s director of development, planning, and community relations said the changes they have made are in response to the recent findings and hopefully to help in grieving.

“Allow an opportunity to reflect on our past,” Lutz said. “And an opportunity to engage with Indigenous communities around us.”

Changes for the Canada Day celebrations will be seen at the concert and fireworks at Stonegate Shopping Centre in the evening. Previously, Tucker Lane was set to perform, but the band Constant Reminder from James Smith Cree Nation will perform instead. On top of that, there will be a land acknowledgement by the Melfort Museum’s cultural advisor Edward Stonestand. There will also be a moment of silence and reflection, as well as the Digging Bear Drumming Circle, who are also from James Smith.

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Lutz said that while other communities have cancelled Canada Day celebrations, they felt this was the right way to go about it.

“We felt that there was some benefit in bringing our communities together,” he said. “And spending this time in reflection and being able to move forward together with healing.”

Other Canada Day events including the flag-raising at Memorial Gardens, Art in the City, and Kinette Car Bingo will all go ahead as planned. The Melfort Museum will also be open, including the new Indigenous Peoples and Archaeology building.

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mat.barrett@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @matbarrett6