A solemn commemoration, a celebration of community, and a determined resolve to break the cycle of violence: Bonnyville Friendship Centre invited the community to its annual vigil in honour of missing, murdered, and exploited Indigenous people at the Bonnyville Centennial Centre October 6.
Attendees were sat at tables surrounding a central display of raised teepee poles, with a simulated fire at its heart. The hall was full.
“It amazed me how many people and agencies attended,” said the Friendship Centre’s executive director Janet Gobert. “We had over 647 people, so that was amazing to see.”
Jackson Tahuka was the master of ceremonies, introducing the Big Island Cree drummers and singers, and welcoming the traditional dancers into the hall. Agnes Gendron and Pastor Grant Lottering offered opening prayers.
Gobert, MLA Scott Cyr, and Town of Bonnyville mayor Elisa Brosseau were among the dignitaries offering greetings. Rachelle Venne of the Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women (IAAW) addressed the gathering, as did Kody Taylor from the Alberta Native Friendship Centres Association (ANCA).
Gobert said the speakers and other attendees reflected the growth and the importance of the annual vigil.
“Not only is she [Venne] the CEO of IAAW, she also sits as the chair for the Government of Alberta’s Human Rights Commission Indigenous Advisory Council. So it was good to have her representation there,” Gobert said.
“I think it spoke well having ANCA there as well, so that was good. Seeing our MLA there, town council, also the mayor of Cold Lake, I think that was fantastic.”
“I think it’s gaining momentum in the community by the representation from the different agencies and community members,” she said.
Taylor said the mandate of Friendship Centres is not just to serve Indigenous people, but to build bridges between Indigenous and non-Indigenous community members. Gobert says that is a key message she would like more people to understand.
“It’s good to get that out there, because we still get it to this day, that people assume we only serve Indigenous people, and that’s simply not the truth,” she said.
Gobert said recognizing and remembering the murdered and missing “goes hand in hand with reconciliation,” but she hesitated to use that word.
“I think the word is losing its meaning because we see it plastered everywhere,” she said. “And because it’s losing its meaning, you also have people assume what it could mean.
“I believe true reconciliation is forgiveness and remembering, so we don’t repeat the past,” Gobert said. “We can’t step forward without that forgiveness component.”
After the performances, speeches, and a banquet, attendees tied orange ribbons onto the teepee poles to remember those who have been lost to violence. A Round Dance brought everyone together to conclude the evening.
Gobert appreciated the community coming together for the vigil.
“I am very thankful for the representation from our local leaders, community members, the different levels of government that were there because as a collective group, we are much stronger,” she said.
“I think that says a lot and I’m so thankful for them to support us in that way.”
