Peace River Aboriginal Interagency Committee hosts an annual Truth and Reconciliation crosswalk painting to ensure the conversations continue about Indigenous history in Canada.
The beautiful work of Indigenous artist Judy (Jude) Ducharme is on display in Peace River each year as a reminder of the trials and tribulations faced by Canadian Indigenous people. The crosswalk is located near the Treaty 8 Memorial at Riverfront Park, and the new artwork was completed on June 15. It will remain in place for an entire year, with Ducharme saying it helps to start the important conversation about the past.
“Like each year the design is never a forethought,” explains Ducharme. “I arrive early, walk among the site barefoot, say a prayer and usually call my Dad, my sister, and my daughter for guidance.
“This year was especially difficult because I feel the amount of negativity in society is at an all-time high. As the morning went on and seeing so many people from all walks, culture, and creed join us, it occurred to me that we are all one,” she adds.
This year’s theme chosen by Ducharme is Turtle Island Honouring Every Child.
“This is Turtle Island. We work, play, live and raise our families,” Ducharme says.
“The theme this year is honouring all, with an eagle feather for First Nations peoples, infinity symbol for the Métis peoples and Inukshuk for the Inuit peoples.”
Ducharme adds the crosswalk creates a space to help people heal, learn, and acknowledge the Residential School Crisis in Canada.
“This is for the children who didn’t make it home and for those who did and the generations that follow,” says Ducharme.
Ducharme says she felt the power of healing after she completed the first crosswalk four years ago, that the energy of everyone involved with the creation helps to create something special to help people have a safe place to reflect.
“Whatever I or everyone who helps me puts into the project, that becomes part of the story of the creation,” Ducharme reflects.
“Anyone who is a survivor, anyone who has lost someone to residential schools, they can just sit, and they know it comes from a place of respect.”
Ducharme is the daughter of a residential school survivor, and she’s all too familiar with the ripple effect that occurs through generations. She says it is important to always remember the children we have lost, to know that the survivors live with the memory every day, and that it is vital to keep the conversation going.
Ducharme says Wendy Goulet and Elder Priscilla Lalonde provided a smudge, prayer, and helped to keep the project on track.
She adds it was truly a community project with various people from the community sponsoring items, supplying snacks, lunch, and coffee to fuel volunteers.
Emily Plihal
Local Journalism
Initiative Reporter
