National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 2024
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Reconciliation is not a one-time event but a multi-generational journey involving all Canadians.
Acknowledging and respecting the histories and experiences of Indigenous communities is crucial. Our dedication to the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation stems from a goal to foster comprehension, harmony, and solidarity. One of our talented Saskatoon Budtenders, Anna Gareau, has crafted a piece inspired by her grandmother’s traditional artwork. This September, we gathered donations for inspiring and critical Indigenous-led causes and organizations. Our organization has raised $2500 to donate to Newoyotina Friendship Centre in Regina, Saskatoon Community Foundation: Community Fund for Reconciliation, and Bear Clan Patrol in Winnipeg.
The Inspiration Behind the Art
“For my design, I took inspiration from my kookums artwork. She is a residential school survivor and has overcome many trials and tribulations in her life. She is truly one of my heroes and an inspiration for many. I based the dragonfly on her birch bark bitings and the flowers after her caribou tuft art pieces. I used the colours of the medicine wheel in this design as they are culturally significant – yellow, black, white, and red. I used the number 4 in my dots as it is also significant in our culture. I used a vine to symbolize how the creator is one with nature, and I feel more connected when I’m in nature, surrounded by flowers, vines and trees.”
– Anna Gareau
How YOU contributed!
Thanks to Anna, we offered a few ways for you to keep a piece of her art and contribute to the cause.
Keep sake buttons, stickers, and information cards were available in our stores. When you chose to donate, that decision helped residential school survivors and families still affected today. All proceeds from the buttons, stickers, and cards will be donated to Newoyotina Friendship Center in Regina, Community Foundation: Community Fund for Reconciliation in Saskatoon, and Bear Clan Patrol Inc. for Winnipeg. We are so proud of our staff and customers for supporting this mission in the way they did. The impact this generosity will have on the future is invaluable. These funds will be used to open up new opportunities for families and children who have been negatively affected by intergenerational trauma. Our hearts are with our Indigenous neighbours and we are grateful for the opportunity to support these organizations. More love and understanding is the only way forward. Thank you.
Information about these fantastic organizations…
Newoyotina Friendship Center
They provide social-based programming for urban Indigenous and non-Indigenous people and families while serving as a focal point for the urban community to gather for various community functions and events. They operate a drop-in center with access to a public washroom, public phone, photocopy, fax, printing services, and a computer for essential use. Additionally, they serve breakfast seven days a week and lunch five days a week for community members who need it most. They also have housing programs with support workers that provide services to clients to help them obtain and maintain safe, secure, and affordable housing. Their health and wellness programs focus on providing emotional, spiritual, physical, and mental support to Indian residential school survivors (IRSS), their families, and communities through programming and case management. Wâhkôtowin Harm Reduction is Canada’s only indigenous lead safe consumption site, which the Newoyotina Friendship Center also operates.
Bear Clan Patrol
Bear Clan Patrol emerged from the need to provide security for the Indigenous community in Winnipeg, a city with a significant Indigenous population concentrated in inner-city neighbourhoods. The patrol consists of community members working collaboratively to ensure personal security in a non-threatening, non-violent, and supportive manner. Their mission is to restore and maintain community harmony by promoting and ensuring safety, resolving conflicts, preventing crime through mobile witnessing, maintaining a visible street presence, and providing prompt responses to emerging situations. Over 1500 volunteers are currently involved with the patrol, reflecting the community’s commitment to honouring Indigenous heritage—its languages, cultures, and spiritual values. These traditions remain vital today. The Bear Clan Patrol believes increased awareness leads to personal responsibility and collaborative change. The primary goal is to empower our community to meet its needs and revitalize it based on our values and vision. We are dedicated to achieving meaningful change within our lifetimes and are guided by a firm commitment to future generations. We prioritize developing young people’s knowledge and skills, as they will inherit and shape our community’s future.
The Saskatoon Community Foundation
Saskatoon Community Foundation created the Community Fund for Reconciliation through funds raised at the Nutrien Saskatoon Community Foundation Cultural Gala series. Funds raised were disbursed from 2018 to 2023 for community partnerships, answering one of the TRC calls to action. In 20 7, the Saskatoon Community Foundation created the permanently endowed Community Fund for Reconciliation to support reconciliation efforts for all Saskatoon residents. The foundation supports Indigenous-led partnerships that promote reconciliation. The Wîcihitowin Indigenous Engagement Conference, which means “to help each other/work together” in Cree/Saulteaux, offers survivors a platform to share their experiences and foster respectful engagement and inclusion of Indigenous peoples. This annual event also helps create resources for culturally respectful organizations. Since 2017, the fund has allocated over $685,000 to Indigenous-led initiatives and projects. The work this organization is doing for the communities is so inspiring, and we are honoured to be able to support them in any way we can.
By commemorating this day, we stand in solidarity with Indigenous peoples, fostering a culture of respect and awareness.
