Thousands turn out for reconciliation walk in Saskatoon

Moving towards reconciliation one step at a time, thousands took to Saskatoon’s downtown streets Thursday for the annual Rock Your Roots march.

People from all walks of life and ethnicity joined in the walk to promote Indigenous inclusion and reconciliation, with hundreds of schoolchildren taking part as an educational experience.

“It’s a very visible, visceral way of connecting, and showing people they can connect,” said Harry Lafond, executive director of the Office of the Treaty Commissioner.

“That’s what reconciliation is about. Going on a journey to know yourself, but also to know who your neighbour is.”

The march, held on National Indigenous Peoples Day, stretched along 19th Street as far as the eye could see in either direction, turning at the Broadway Bridge into River Landing before circling back to Victoria Park.

#rockurroots2018 being treated to ceremonial drums and dance as they pass the Bicentennial monument for 1812. #yxe pic.twitter.com/2m2CvMjRE7

— Chris Vandenbreekel (@Vandecision) June 21, 2018

Many people at the Rock Your Roots festivities had their own reason for marching.

“I’m walking because my grandma was in residential school,” said Jacelyn Lerat.

“She was traumatized until the day she died.”

Lerat said the huge turnout for the march was a step towards understanding between cultures, helping the healing process for Indigenous people suffering from trauma.

“It’ll take years … but we’re getting there,” she said.

All along the route have been messages like these placed by the OTC. #rockurroots2018 #yxe pic.twitter.com/PPhqfzKlvN

— Chris Vandenbreekel (@Vandecision) June 21, 2018

Along the march route were signs displaying messages such as “reconciliation is… recognizing that we’re all in this together.”

The march began after a ceremony unveiling the reconciliation-focused name of the north commuter parkway bridge as Chief Mistawasis Bridge.