HEALING AND RECONCILIATION FOR COMMUNITIES AND FAMILIES

2024 Rock Your Roots: Walk for Reconciliation

The Rock Your Roots: Walk for Reconciliation in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan is held annually on June 21, National Indigenous Peoples Day.

It brings together community members to honour residential school Survivors, foster a shared understanding of Canada’s true history, and build relationships among Indigenous people, non-Indigenous Canadians and newcomers to Canada.

Central to the event is intergenerational knowledge sharing, with Indigenous Knowledge Keepers and youth coming together for ceremonies such as tipi teachings, smudging, and pipe ceremonies. These activities create a space for connecting and healing, inviting participants to engage with traditions and culture.

Leading up to the walk, public education and awareness campaigns share stories of residential school Survivors and offer lesson plans for elementary and high school students. Indigenous artists, dancers, and drummers participate throughout the day itself, celebrating culture and teaching Indigenous ways to all attendees.

Support from the Indigenous Reconciliation Fund (IRF) helps cover the costs of the event, including staff, activities, infrastructure, and logistics. Additionally, the funding provides honorariums for participating Elders and Survivors and supports outreach communication leading up to the event.

Residential school Survivors have shared powerful testimonials about how this day facilitates healing. Many have expressed that they “never thought the day would come” when they felt seen and honoured by the larger Saskatoon community.

Diocese of Saskatoon

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