A sea of orange takes over Kiwanis Park for Cancel Canada Day event

Canada Day had a different feeling in Saskatoon for 2021.

People gathered at Kiwanis Memorial Park to support residential school survivors, those who did not make it home and the Indigenous community, as a whole.

The day-long event is called “Cancel Canada Day,” and was put on by Saskatoon’s Chokecherry Studios. Events began at 9 a.m. Thursday and will run until 9:30 p.m.

“We are asking the community to show support for Residential School Survivors & Indigenous Communities across the country by refusing to celebrate 154 years of colonial violence & genocide,” a release from Chokecherry Studios reads.

Orange shirts filled the grass around noon as individuals of all descents gathered to listen to speakers.

Allison Forsberg is a young Indigenous activist and she was part of the group organizing Thursday’s events.

“Definitely, with everything that has been brought to the attention of Canada … A lot of healing needs to be done,” she said.

Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark was one of the speakers and shared his commitment to listening and learning.

“I have so much more to learn. I’m struck by how much I don’t know … I am committed to working with you (the Indigenous community) to make sure that Saskatoon is a place that shows leadership in the country,” he told the crowd.

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Crowd Gathered at Kiwanis Memorial Park for Cancel Canada Day Events (Payton Zillich/650 CKOM)

A feast and pipe ceremony kicked off Thursday’s events, with speakers beginning at 11 a.m. A pancake breakfast was provided by Islamic Relief before a 2 p.m. smudge walk. A gathering in Kiwanis Park is planned for 5 p.m., with a candlelight vigil on the bridge at 9:30 p.m.

Dr. Fran Forsberg was another Thursday speaker. Forsberg demanded change in our country, with the support of the Non-Indigenous allies.

“Get off your white behinds. Start doing petitions. Start demanding, especially of the Saskatchewan government,” she said. “Reminding our politicians that they stand for all, (and) represent all people in all in this province. Not just the white people of privilege, not just the straight people of privilege.

“Use your white privilege because you do have some … We need to put pressure on government, we need to change our child welfare system, we need to change our judicial system.”

Arnold Blackstar was one of those in the crowd and he shared how he would like to see allies help the community.

“I think that for non-Indigenous Canadians, they should be involved in the issues that affect Indigenous people. Far too often we look at the state of Indigenous people here in Saskatchewan as something contemporary. The reality for most Indigenous individuals here is that their situation has been impacted by the Indian Residential School System.”

Another attendee, Janelle Sakebow, shared her opinion on what needs to be done moving forward.

“(Non-Indigenous people should) educate themselves. They are very uneducated right now on issues that are going on. That’s why so many of them are shocked at how many bodies were found, but our people always knew when they wouldn’t believe us,” she said.

“I’d like to see less racism and less micro-aggressions in day-to-day life for Indigenous people, people of colour, for everyone. For them to be able to live their life without having to look over their shoulder or (having to be) self-conscious because of the colour of their skin.”

Story by 650 CKOM’s Payton Zillich

Allison Forsberg Delivering her Speech at Kiwanis Memorial Park for Cancel Canada Day (Payton Zillich/650 CKOM)