The High Prairie Native Friendship Centre marked National Truth and Reconciliation Day on Sept. 30 at the High Prairie Legion. The day started with a ceremony where people could leave painted handprints at a special memorial intersection at 51 Ave. and 50 St. by MacIntyre Park created three years ago to remember those who lost their lives in Indian residential schools and murdered and missing Indigenous people. After lunch with bannock and soup, a Kairos Blanket Exercise was led by Carrie MacGillivary and High Prairie School Division Indigenous education coach Kendel Potskin.
Dennis Prince, left, and his daughter Tilly Prince, 4, leave painted handprints on a memorial intersection in memory of those who lost their lives at Indian residential schools.Some of the High Prairie Native Friendship Centre staff leave their painted handprints on a memorial intersection in memory of those who lost their lives at Indian residential schools and murdered and missing Indigenous people. Left-right, are program director Christina Vitalis, executive director Sacha Martens and office receptionist Bev L’Hirondelle.Some members of the High Prairie Native Friendship Centre board of directors gather at a memorial intersection in High Prairie in memory of those who lost their lives at Indian residential schools and murdered and missing Indigenous people where people can leave their handprints. Front, left-right, are office receptionist Bev L’Hirondelle, president Barry Sharkawi and Sheila Breast, a director on the board. Back row, left-right, are RCMP Indigenous liaison Sgt. Susan Harper, of Peace River, special guest former NHL player Theo Fleury, Native Friendship Centre executive director Sacha Martens, vice-president Kelly Chalifoux, and board director Dennis Kerr.Two young girls lead an Every Child Matters Awareness Walk organized by Peavine Inn and Suites on Truth and Reconciliation Day. In front, left-right, are Cassie Brule and Cavlyne Brule-Auger. Behind them left-right, are Matthew Lennie, Justina Grey and Cardell Smith. About 80 people participated in the walk that started and ended at Peavine Inn and proceeded along Highway 2.A Kairos Blanket Exercise was part of the National Truth and Reconciliation Day event Sept. 30 at the High Prairie Legion Hall. Carrie MacGillivary, second from left, and High Prairie School Division Indigenous education coach Kendel Potskin narrated the exercise. The exercise explores the contemporary relationships between Indigenous people and non-Indigenous people in the history of Canada.
