‘A mile in our moccassins:’ STC holds walk for reconciliation Tuesday, around 300 attend

Saskatoon Tribal Chief Mark Arcand stood before the media Tuesday, minutes prior to the start of a walk for reconciliation.

Wearing flip-flops, Arcand was preparing to make a 23-block trek across downtown Saskatoon.

When asked about his choice of footwear, Arcand didn’t beat around the bush.

“Think about how much our residential school survivors suffered,” he said. “For me just to get blisters and for me just to walk in flip flops is a small gesture for what they went through.”

The walk, organized and put on by Saskatoon Tribal Council, spanned the downtown core and left the streets a sea of orange through Tuesday in the mid-afternoon. Around 300 people took part in the event, many carrying signs of support — all walking for one common goal.

“It’s not about inconveniencing anybody. I know we’re probably going to stop traffic … It’s the intention to have people understand what residential schools were and how we can improve through the TRC calls to action,” Arcand explained, before commenting on how proud he was in seeing the turnout.

“We should all be united on this issue and work together.”

People of all colours, backgrounds and upbringings participated in the walk, which began in the north parking lot of the Midtown Plaza.

The Walk for the TRC Calls to Action with the @StoonTribalCncl has started.

Around 300 are in attendance, a sea of orange through the streets of #yxe pic.twitter.com/IvtgyAPtQM

— Brady Lang (@BradyLangSK) July 20, 2021

Arcand said coming to grips with the past horrors of residential schools is a provincial situation, along with seeing the truth of the unmarked graves found at former residential school sites.

“There’s facts that are being said here and this is what I think is opening up people’s eyes … People have always said this happened to people, but there was never any proof. Now, there’s proof,” he said.

“Whether you’re Indigenous or non-Indigenous — we all have an obligation to do what’s right.”

Donna Heimbecker was another person taking part in the walk. She is a part of the Saskatchewan Intercultural Association, which looks to bridge the gap between the Indigenous community and newcomers.

“We embrace community, and the fact we live together on this land,” the second-generation descendant of a residential school survivor said.

She described these times as triggering, yet something that needs to the brought to the forefront.

When asked about the sea of orange, Heimbecker responded:

“It’s an amazing show of support and all cultures coming together and people showing their support … It’s something that’s being brought to the forefront, finally. The stories of our survivors are being heard and respected, and understood for the truth that they are,” she said.

“I think it’s sad it had to go to this place. And this is just scratching the surface. We do know there are residential schools all over the country and the most populated province is Saskatchewan. We’ve got a lot of hurt that’s still coming our way and the reality is going to be exponential for people to grasp.”

Heimbecker said there are tough times ahead for Saskatchewan, but that it’s something that needs to be done in order for the healing to begin.

“The poison needs to expose,” she commented.

As the crowds continued to span across the downtown core, Arcand said he was happy that all communities showed up, from Indigenous to non-Indigenous. To businesses and school boards, to fire and police — Arcand said the event was bringing people together and being united.

He also had a message to motorists, who did have a bit longer of a downtown commute Tuesday compared to a quieter day in the core.

“I hope they respect and understand what we’re trying to do,” Arcand said. “This is an awakening of how we do the right thing. I hope they’re supporting, I hope they’re not going to be negative because that’s not the intention. We don’t want to have an us-versus-them, or them-versus-us. It’s about bringing people together and being united.

“You don’t know who we are until you walk a mile in our moccasins. Going from there, it’s the same thing, it’s visa versa. I know what it’s like to be in everyone else’s shoes. It’s time that they see what our shoes feel like and how we can work together.”