Gallery: a day of Truth and Reconciliation in Airdrie

A dedication ceremony for the Îethka Stoney Grandmother's Teachings sculptures at Nose Creek Regional Park took place on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The ceremony is one of several that are happening in Airdrie on Saturday.

A dedication ceremony for the Îethka Stoney Grandmother's Teachings sculptures at Nose Creek Regional Park took place on Saturday, September 30, National Truth and Reconciliation Day. (Photo by Anna Ferenswicz)

Mayor Peter Brown, along with Councillor Ron Chapman, Councillor Tina Petrow, as well as Councillor Heather Spearman was in attendance. Others in attendance included several Elders and Knowledge Keepers who were involved in the project and members of the public. Don and Shirley Begg, the artist couple from Cochrane, who were commissioned to create the statues were also in attendance. 

Métis Elder Pamela Lashmore underlined that while today is Truth and Reconciliation Day, the process must be ongoing every day.

"Truth and reconciliation is a gift that the Creator gave us every day. I was looking at this [statue] and there's so much beauty captivated in the expressions and in the eyes. There is spirit that's alive here and I pray that it stays here."

Phillomene Stevens, an Elder from Îethka Stoney Nation was also in attendance. It was Stevens' likeness that became the inspiration for the Stoney grandmother statue's look. 

During the ceremony, Stevens said that Nose Creek, an area rich with Indigenous history was in fact called by another name by Indigenous peoples. It was called 'shooting star' named after the purple flower that grew in abundance around Nose Creek.

When asked what her own grandmother taught her, Stevens, said respect figured prominently in her grandmother's wisdom that she passed on.

The bronze sculpture statues were anonymously donated by an Airdrie family to the city. The sculptures depict a Stoney grandmother around 1909, when Airdrie was established, sharing her traditional knowledge of local vegetation with her grandchildren.

A visibly emotional Mayor Brown explained that one of the reasons a grandparent was chosen to be depicted, is that grandparents are a symbol of one's connection to the past.

"To know our history, the history of our families, and of the place we call home, is extremely important. Having three children represented connects the Indigenous past and the present to every family, in our community. Every Child Matters. Children are forever our hope for the future," he said. "I proudly say the grandma and her grandchildren have a home here in Airdrie."

Mayor Brown echoed Lashmore's sentiment that truth and reconciliation must be an ongoing process.

"We must listen, learn and acknowledge the past. Not talking about painful histories, only hides them. The impact is still there. We need to practice reconciliation in our everyday lives within ourselves, and our families. And, most importantly, in our communities." 

Lance Scout, an Elder from Kainai First Nation, Blackfoot Confederacy, who spoke during the dedication ceremony said that there are four crucial actions that everyone must undertake for truth and reconciliation to be effective and meaningful. He said critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication are those four pillars. 

"This [sculpture] will speak to generations that come. This sculpture will be here long after we're gone. Our children are going to be here to continue that legacy; that honour," Scout said.

Other elders in attendance included Îyârhe Stoney Nakoda First Nation Elder Virgil Stephens, Ollie Benjamin, George Pambrun from the Métis Nation of Alberta, as well as Airdrie resident and Blackfoot Elder Carolla Fox Hanley.

This afternoon, the Circle Connections for Reconciliation Society is also presenting an opportunity to hear Elder John Sinclair, Cree Nation, share his stories and teachings. The Elder Talk is taking place at the Bert Church LIVE Theatre lobby. The event is supported by the Calgary Foundation and the City of Airdrie.

The second event is a performance of “New Blood: A Story of Reconciliation” from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m., with doors opening at 3:30 p.m. also at Bert Church LIVE Theatre.

"The widely acclaimed production blends Blackfoot music and contemporary music by Peter Gabriel to create an amazing piece of theatre celebrating Blackfoot history and traditions. Poetry, song, dance, contemporary and traditional featuring Siksika musicians and dancers, performers from Strathmore, Alberta and the music of Peter Gabriel."

Conceived by Deanne Bertsch at Strathmore High School, New Blood is made possible through support and collaboration with the City of Airdrie as well as the sponsorship of TC Energy. Tickets for New Blood are available online. Admission is free for First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples. 

Flags are flying half-mast at all Government of Canada, Alberta and Airdrie facilities. Earlier this month, The City of Airdrie permanently located the Treaty 7 and Métis Nation flags in Council Chambers and in front of City Hall. Mayor Brown said that the ceremony, which was held on September 18, was part of an ongoing commitment to truth and reconciliation,

September 30 is also Orange Shirt Day, which is an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day intended to raise awareness of the individual, family and community inter-generational impacts of residential schools and to promote the concept of “Every Child Matters.”

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation was established after The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (2008 to 2015) assembled a report, in which there were 94 calls to action.

"[This day] is a direct response to Call to Action 80, which called for a federal statutory day of commemoration," the Government of Canada stated on its website. 

According to The City, the first official commemoration of the day was hosted in Airdrie through a collaboration between the City of Airdrie, Circle Connections for Reconciliation Society (CCFRS), Elders and Knowledge-Keepers from across Treaty 7 territory as well as Métis Nation of Alberta Region 3.

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