The Forks plans reimagined July 1 event following reflection, consultation
The Forks is taking a different approach to the celebrations come July 1 – a move organizers hope will allow for a welcoming space for all communities.
Instead of Canada Day celebrations, The Forks is planning a reimagined 'New Day at The Forks' event on July 1.
Clare MacKay, vice president of strategic initiatives and executive director of The Forks Foundation, said the decision to change the Canada Day celebrations was made following the first discoveries of unmarked graves at residential school sites across the country.
"It did give us a chance to reflect and to have some time to do some consultation to sort of look at what our Canada Day had looked like in the past and what it could look like in the future," MacKay said.
She said for the past year, The Forks has been holding roundtable discussions with Indigenous peoples, newcomers and youth about the future of Canada Day celebrations. Those discussions have shaped what has become 'A New Day at The Forks' event.
While the day will look different from past years – there will be no fireworks – MacKay said there will be a wide range of programming that is representative and inclusive.
There will be family-friendly activities, soccer and basketball tournaments, pow wow dancers, drummers, craft stations, theatre performances and live music by local artists, along with dedicated Indigenous-led spaces for ceremony and healing at Oodena and The Gathering Space (wiigiwam) at Niizhoziibean.
"We believe what we're doing is providing a very diverse, interesting - and fun even - day where people will be able to find something that they can either learn for the first time or a place where they can sit and gather and gain knowledge," MacKay said.
In a release, Sara Stasiuk, CEO of The Forks North Portage Partnership, said she acknowledges the hurt that is being felt in Indigenous communities.
"We know we have a role to play in the healing process. We’re beginning by listening to what we heard, and by offering a day that focuses on sharing space, telling stories, and building understanding," Stasiuk said. "This is only a beginning, and something we will continue to build on with community support."
More details about the events planned at The Forks on July 1 can be found online.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Poilievre says Canadians 'fleeing' to Nicaragua, Liberals say it shows he 'doesn't have a clue'
Liberal parliamentarians are criticizing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre over a new video in which he promotes the idea that some Canadians are 'fleeing' Canada to live in Nicaragua because they can't afford a house in this country.
Canadians are eyeing moves to these cities for more affordable housing
Faced with elevated housing prices, half of Canadians in the country's largest cities are considering moving to places with more affordable housing.
Trudeau must more publicly support ICC decisions amid Israel-Hamas war: ex-ministers
A group of prominent former politicians and current academics is asking Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to change his tone on the possibility of arrest warrants for senior Israeli leaders.
'Do not drive': Nissan warns Canadian drivers of explosion risk impacting 48,000 vehicles
Car manufacturer Nissan has issued a do-not-drive warning for some older vehicles equipped with Takata airbag inflators, due to the risk of explosion during a crash.
Infant dies in ATV crash, N.S. RCMP says alcohol may be a factor
An infant has died and three others, including another child, were taken to hospital following an ATV crash in Forties, N.S., on Monday.
Police clear intersection of pro-Palestinian protesters on UBC campus
Police cleared pro-Palestinian protesters from a main intersection at the University of British Columbia campus in Vancouver on Wednesday.
Tessa Virtue reveals she's expecting her first child. Here's what Canadians had to say
Canadian figure-skating icon Tessa Virtue is expecting her first child, she revealed via social media Tuesday.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's housing plan defeated in House of Commons
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's housing bill has been defeated in the House of Commons with the Liberals, New Democrats and Bloc Quebecois voting against the legislation.
'Scandals and secrets': On board the world's most exclusive private residential ship
It’s a floating city exclusively home to the 1 per cent, a playground for multimillionaires and billionaires that circumnavigates the world's oceans.