YORKTON – Hundreds gathered on September 30 in Yorkton to recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with a march down Broadway Street, followed by presentations and cultural events.
The day honoured survivors of Canada’s residential school system while acknowledging the lasting impacts on Indigenous communities.
Yorkton Tribal Council Chief Isabel O’Soup said the strong turnout showed both support from the community and a growing commitment to reconciliation.
“I’m really happy about how many walkers we had, and all the organizations that came out to support us,” O’Soup said. “I’m especially happy to see so many schools participate. When kids come and learn, that’s a true success.”
She said seeing people from a wide range of backgrounds taking part was encouraging.
“When I look around Yorkton and I see more non-Indigenous people in the crowd than I do First Nation people, that’s reconciliation to me,” O’Soup said. “People really making an effort to learn and to contribute—that’s what it’s all about.”
While September 30 is now a federally recognized day, O’Soup emphasized that reconciliation cannot be confined to a single date. She has encouraged people to wear orange shirts every Friday for the past three years as a way of continuing awareness year-round.
“I challenge everyone—every organization, every person—wear your orange shirt on Fridays,” she said. “Our survivors deserve more than one day.”
O’Soup noted the presence of community organizations, local schools, and even the Yorkton Terriers as a positive step forward.
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