Calgary,
25
May
2018
|
09:05
America/Denver

Calgarians invited to attend official naming ceremony for Reconciliation Bridge

In the spirit of Reconciliation, on Saturday, May 26 at 1 p.m., the City of Calgary, alongside Elders, Traditional Knowledge Keepers and youth from Treaty 7 first nations, the Métis Nation Region 3, and the Inuit community, will conduct an official naming ceremony of the Reconciliation Bridge. The event will begin with a prayer circle and a solemn walk across the bridge, followed by flag songs, drumming, messages from the Indigenous community, and a traditional Round Dance.

Calgarians are welcome to join in a solemn and celebratory ceremony that begins with a walk at 1 p.m. on the north side of the bridge with the continuation of activities on the south side of the bridge.

The renaming of the Reconciliation Bridge was supported unanimously by City Council following a notice of motion submitted by Mayor Naheed Nenshi and a majority of Councillors. It is one of many acts of reconciliation The City has planned with the Indigenous community in and around Calgary. These acts are outlined in the White Goose Flying report drafted in 2016 to address recommendations made by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

To commemorate the Reconciliation Bridge naming ceremony, the Calgary Tower, Arts Commons, Glenbow Museum, Jubilee Auditorium, Olympic Plaza, Stephen Avenue Galleria Trees, Reconciliation Bridge and Telus Spark will be lit in the traditional colours of red, yellow, blue and white.

For more information, visit calgary.ca/reconciliationbridge.

Road closure notice:

  • There will be road closures around the event on Riverfront Avenue S.E from Reconciliation Bridge to Confluence Way S.E., and turning south onto Reconciliation Bridge from Memorial Drive going east. These closures take effect at 7:00 a.m. and continue until 5:00 p.m.

  • There is will also be a parking ban on Riverfront Avenue S.E. from 3 Street S.E. to Confluence Way S.E. Signage will be placed for all parking bans.

  • There will be no access to Reconciliation Bridge after 7 a.m. Citizens wishing to take part in the walk are asked to gather on the north side of the bridge just before 1:00 p.m.