‘It feels empowering:’ Arcand leads group on reconciliation walk around Circle Drive

When Muskeg Lake Cree Nation’s Kal Ledoux woke up Monday morning, he had no idea he’d be part of a group circling Saskatoon’s busiest freeway.

Ledoux, dressed in orange like nearly all supporters in Monday’s walk, woke up and saw social media posts about the event, and he knew he had to be a part of it.

“It feels empowering. There’s a good energy out here. I feel like it’s good for the people to gather, be there and support one another,” Ledoux said.

What Ledoux is referring to is Saskatoon Tribal Chief Mark Arcand’s walk for reconciliation. It began at 7 a.m. Monday and included both Indigenous and non-Indigenous participants.

A large early turnout this morning to support @StoonTribalCncl Chief Mark Arcand.

The group just began its walk around Circle Drive to raise awareness for local calls to action, challenging businesses to highlight what they’re doing for the Indigenous community. #yxe pic.twitter.com/8BqOXo2XTd

— Brady Lang (@BradyLangSK) June 14, 2021

Arcand, who led the group on the walk around Circle Drive, was looking to bring attention to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s calls to action. He called on Saskatoon businesses and organizations to do their part and find what works for them, and what they can do for the Indigenous community.

“With all the support we had this morning … we must have started with 100-plus people,” he said. “This is what bringing the community together (looks like).”

And bringing the community together they did. Supporters included Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce CEO Jason Aebig, Mayor Charlie Clark, Coun. David Kirton, director of emergency management Pamela Goulden-McLeod and University of Saskatchewan president Peter Stoicheff.

Arcand explained what having all the support meant for him.

“It tells me people are now starting to have more awareness about residential schools and what we’re trying to accomplish, which is get the TRC calls to action implemented,” he said.

“People are starting to talk. Whether it’s good or bad, people are talking and it’s becoming education. The biggest key is to educate people about what’s going on and how we want to improve it as a community.”

The support was welcomed by all in the group, including Alyson Bear of the Whitecap Dakota First Nation.

“All of my grandparents are residential school survivors. So I’ve always taken part in these (walks) every year,” she said. “My grandparents are getting old. They’re not able to be here. I’ve got to make sure to continue on these traditions, for our people, for the ones that came before us — the survivors — and the ones who didn’t survive.

“It’s really important to see that support. It’s really important to have allies, and it’s really important to see our people coming together and showing their solidarity with what’s happened in our country — what’s still happening in our country — (It’s important) to know that people are actually aware, and care.”

Tera Arcand of Muskeg said the idea behind it all was to create awareness, and she wanted to come out and support the organization, Arcand and the residential school survivors.

“(It’s) excellent. Everybody is supporting us. We get a lot of honks, a lot of people waving at us (and) people stopping to give us water. It’s really encouraging,” she said.

A few looks now, we’re just getting up to Valley Road.

The group is ahead of schedule, as well. Motorin’ on Circle this morning.

Take a peak: #yxe pic.twitter.com/mX2LtSBuih

— Brady Lang (@BradyLangSK) June 14, 2021

The combination of both Indigenous and non-Indigenous support was big for Ledoux as well.

He said before he arrived, he had a smudge and prayed, then made his way to Circle Drive.

“I think it’s super important that there’s a mix of people here. As we make our way forward, this path of reconciliation, it’s important that we gather as people as a nation, not just singular,” he said.

Arcand said after his Thursday ask for businesses to think about what they’re doing for the calls to action, he didn’t have many reaching out to him.

Still, he feels like that isn’t an issue; he said he knows businesses are doing what they can.

“I think they heard me. And I think what they’re doing is trying to figure out how — how and why. At the end of the day, just call us. We’ll tell you,” he said.

“It’s going to be beneficial. We need to take action. We just can’t talk about it anymore.”