It’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day next Tuesday, Sept. 30, and the Whitecourt Indigenous Friends Society is inviting the community to join it in honouring the occasion.
That day, it’s hosting a procession and community event at Festival Park, a time to remember survivors of the residential school system and acknowledge the ongoing impacts of their history.
An address from Whitecourt Mayor Tom Pickard, and Faye Beauchamp, Woodlands County representative and president of the society, will open the gathering at 10:30 a.m. A smudge and prayers will take place at 10:45 a.m. and the memorial walk will head through the park and around downtown at 11 a.m.
After the walk, there will be a community barbecue, then a Round Dance at 12:45 p.m. to close things off.
Street closures will be in effect in the downtown core from 11 a.m. to noon to accommodate the procession, so drivers in the area should keep their eyes open for any barricades.
Transit to the downtown area will also be rerouted from 10:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Users should be aware there will be no drop off or pick up at the following stops during that time:
- Bus Stop #3 located at 51 Street near the Home Hardware Building Centre
- Bus Stop #4 located at the corner of 51 Street and 51 Avenue
- Bus Stop #5 located in Festival Park
- Bus Stop #6 located at the corner of 49 Street and 52 Avenue (Midtown Mall)
- Bus Stop #23 located at the corner of 48 Street and 50 Avenue
- Bus Stop #24 located at the corner of 50 Street and 50 Avenue
- Bus Stop #25 located on 51 Street near the 7-11
Instead, transit users are asked to used stops #7, #21, #22 and #26. A temporary stop will also be set up on 49 Avenue near Canadian Tire.
The procession route. (Town of Whitecourt/Supplied)
