Egland scores Teddy Bear Toss goal but Pats lose in OT
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Over 3,000 stuffed animals were tossed onto the ice.
Unity and building an understanding.
Those were just two of the themes of Monday’s reconciliation event, put on by the Saskatoon Tribal Council (STC). The event featured a pipe ceremony, followed by speeches from Elders and Knowledge Keepers.
The crowd of upwards of 200 were also treated to a mini pow wow.
The one difference between this event, compared to one you’d typically attend was a narrator — walking through the mixed community crowd and explaining not only what was happening, but also why, and what it meant to the Indigenous community.
“So that people that haven’t been to a ceremony, can actually understand the meaning — so they know why they’re there…it’s to bring prayers and healing to everyone. You can pray in your own way…however you see fit,” Saskatoon Tribal Chief Mark Arcand explained following the gathering at the Gordie Howe Sports Complex.
“When people tell that story, it’s so people can have a better understanding of why Indigenous people are doing it — that’s the whole key…it’s not a talent show, it’s a way of living.”
A drum group performs at Saskatoon Tribal Council’s Reconciliation Event on Aug. 23, 2021. (Brady Lang/650 CKOM)
Among the crowds were local dignitaries, along with reps from many Saskatoon-based corporations and organizations. It mixed both Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities together, all centred to learning and understanding one another.
Steph Clovechok was one of those community members in the crowd, also participating during the Grand Entry. She is the CEO of Tourism Saskatoon, and she shared her thoughts on the event.
“For our entire community to be offered the opportunity and be invited to partake in something so ceremonial and so ancient, dating back thousands and thousands of years…is such a privilege,” she explained.
When it came to the narration, Clovechok said the event did well in interpreting the experience.
“It made them feel welcome, and safe to experience it. I saw many faces in here who may have not attended a pow wow or a ceremony before, but had a safe place as a Treaty person to come and learn today. The interpretation was very important,” she continued.
Saskatoon Tribal Chief Mark Arcand, among local Indigenous dignitaries, pictured on Aug. 23, 2021. (Brady Lang/650 CKOM)
Shawn Moen was another community member at the event. He is the CEO and co-founder of Nine Mile Legacy and Brewing. He considered the event a powerful experience.
“It’s an ongoing education process. Continuing to absorb and unpack a lot of the experiences. I was really grateful,” Moen said.
“It gives good context (with the narration). Coming from a European settler background…it’s a lot to absorb.
“It’s a continued journey on how we walk together and how we begin to understand each other. That was a big message from the Elders.”
STC will now turn its attention to its next big event, located at the SaskTel Centre. It is the “Every Child Matters” concert with Canadian country music artists Gord Bamford, George Canyon and Charlie Major on Sept. 30, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Pictured is the Grand March during a Reconciliation event on Aug. 23, 2021. (Brady Lang/650 CKOM)