Mayoral hopeful, former Liberal MP pan reimagined Canada Day plans at The Forks, though others support move

Former federal ministers and Mayor of Winnipeg believe that Forks’ rethought Canadian Day festival has been unmarked, but several other candidates vying to become the city’s next leader have said. We support shakeups and focus on reconciliation.

Last week, Forks announced that it had renamed the July 1st rally to “New Day.” This includes a variety of cross-cultural programming, including traditional indigenous drums, pow wow dance, craft stations, musical and theatrical performances. There is an indigenous-led space for ceremonies and healing.

Basketball and soccer tournaments will be held, along with storytelling tents, bike attendants, various games and food trucks. Unlike the last few years, there are no fireworks.

The organization said it made the switch after months of indigenous-led roundtables with various community members. The main theme that emerged was the desire to make Forks feel safe, entertaining and vibrant.

The controversy was triggered by the discovery of unmarked graves associated with residential school grounds across Canada. “It really made me think about what celebrating a colonial milestone means for many,” Forks CEO Sarah Stasik said last Friday.

Former Liberal Party Cabinet Minister and President Lloyd Axworthy of the University of Winnipeg Winnipeg Free Press Article published on Monday..

“I think Canada needs Canada Day more than ever, so I think it’s a decision that really needs to be fixed and reconsidered,” Axworthy told CBC News on Tuesday.

He was involved in the establishment Core Area Initiative in the early 1980sPlayed a role in shaping the fork in the years that followed.

“We need to gather Canadians, some to celebrate, some to understand who we are, and to recognize that there are real risks and real pressures. There are extreme people who are trying to undermine our democracy. “

The mayor’s hopeful Jennie Motokalk also panned the change.

“I think Canada Day is celebrating Canada in its current form. The current form includes all Canadians. It can be admitted that there was a historical error. Included is looking forward to finding ways to move on to a positive future for all of us, “she said.

“Forks has canceled Canada Day for a new event … and Forks isn’t celebrating Canada Day, so I’m celebrating Canada Day somewhere else.”

The Forks leadership said in a statement that Canada Day would not be canceled at all.

“In fact, we’re hosting a comprehensive and enjoyable day for everyone by adding more content, stages, and places to meet,” the statement said. “Programming focuses on participatory, festive, or reflective daytime activities and entertainment, depending on where you are on the site.”

According to Forks, programming will end at 6 pm, so we won’t launch fireworks this year. Hope to get it back in the future.

Some of Motkaluk’s competitors say that Fork supports some of the reconciliation-based inferences that have influenced things and their decisions.

Former Manitoba Liberal Party leader Lana Bohari, who is running for Mayor of Winnipeg, said, “We recognize that change is difficult and we respect the upset Winnipeg people.” “But if we can take a step back and find out why we are doing it … this is the path of reconciliation and healing, we want to be better, we want to be good allies.”

Candidate Rick Shine will be attending a Forks event. He was initially disappointed with the cancellation of the fireworks, He came after seeing the “great lineup” of the event..

“I celebrate Canada Day. It’s an important day for me, my family, and many others who choose to make Canada home, but … it’s also a day when we look back on the past.” He said. “I, they [The Forks] Work really hard and come up with creative and new ways to come up with a comprehensive place for everyone. “

Candidate Christopher Classio said programming is a step towards reconciliation, but the event isn’t that important to him.

Eight-year city council member Scott Gillingham, who is also running for mayor, said Canada Day and reconciliation are both intended to stimulate remorse and celebration.

“This is a polarized problem,” said Gillingham, who attends an event at Forks. “We now really need to unite as a city and a nation, not to divide us, but to focus on what connects us.”

Sean Ronnie, a candidate for Mayor of Winnipeg, said Forks has been an important meeting place for indigenous peoples for thousands of years.

“We can see why having a party there to celebrate Canada Day in that particular place looks rude, especially given the revelations around the unmarked grave,” he said in a statement. “I celebrate Canada Day-both celebrating our achievements and looking back at where we were wrong.”

Focusing on the inclusive day is welcomed for Gigaakikuwe, who means the woman of the healing earth.

“I prefer the Anishinaabe and us as our territory,” Gigaakikuwe told Forks on Tuesday. “Canada is a royal company for me.”