Parking was hard to find at Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park, but even if you were two blocks away you could hear the rhythmic thrum of drums in the distance.
As one got closer they could see the wave of orange through the trees as the singing and music got louder.
Today (Monday), marks National Indigenous Peoples Day and a drum circle was held at the park.
“Today we are representing tradition and culture and awareness,” said Krystal Behn-Dettieh, one of the many people in attendance at the event.
The day started with the Every Child Matters March, where people marched from Exploration Place to the Kiwanis Bowl Bandshell.
People are being urged to wear orange today in light of the remains of 215 children found at a former residential school in Kamloops.
While the event was bright and colourful, and people were singing and dancing, there was a lot of underlying sadness.
“The significance to me is drawing awareness, having the survivors have a voice, bringing culture and tradition together. Not just Indigenous people, but everyone alike, every diverse community, just to draw support,” added Behn-Dettieh.
Behn-Dettieh said everyone was welcomed to the event, and everyone is an ally, but stressed one final point.
“We need support… we need support…”
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