LETHBRIDGE, AB – A rally and celebration for residential school survivors is set to take place in Lethbridge Thursday.
Rather than celebrating a nation on July 1, organizers say it’s important to mourn for the children recently discovered in unmarked graves and to celebrate the survivors who did return home.
The day begins with a march at noon from the corner of Mayor Magrath Drive and 6th avenue south which will move past City Hall and toward Galt Gardens.
A moment of silence will be held at 2pm with awareness events and a candlelight vigil to follow later on (9pm).
Attendees are invited to bring signs, and wear red for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two Spirit or orange for the Indigenous children who have been recovered in recent weeks.
The remains of 215 children were found at a former Kamloops Residential School and 751 unmarked graves were discovered shortly after in Cowessess First Nation in Saskatchewan.
The Indigenous Awareness Rally & Community Celebration is hosted by the Turning Deer Sisters, Alica MistakenChief, and in collaboration with Sweetgrass Youth Alliance and the Aakah’kohsiiksi (Those who have many children) Community Society.