Community Feast 2025: National Day for Truth & Reconciliation

Posted on October 6, 2025 by Ryan Dahlman

As she looked at children with their parents in the Jasper Centre grounds, Nekaneet chief Rosa Wahobin asked for contemplation of the unthinkable.

Suppose this spectacle of innocence was threatened by a stranger, she told parents.

“Imagine someone you did not know grabbing those children. How would you feel?”

Such a scenario was a reality in Canada “not so long ago”, she said, when so-called Indian agents toured communities, rounding up children for residential schools.

“It is dark and uncalled for, but it is the way that it went.”

Fortunately, in Maple Creek the Nekaneet enjoyed a unique relationship with the ranchers, who would raise the alarm when agents were in the area.  

Michelle McKenzie, the mayor, also spoke of the unique relationship between the Nekaneet and the rest of the community.

When outsiders heard her talk about “Cowboys and Indians” – terms used for the Battle of the Little Big Puck – they bridled at the language, not understanding how such words are a source of pride in Maple Creek.

McKenzie highlighted the importance of the community coming together in gratitude, to reflect on the past, and carry forward positive messages for future generations.

“We are the change,” she said.

Chief Wahobin and McKenzie were among speakers at Maple Creek’s second annual “Community Feast” to mark National Day for Truth & Reconciliation, now in its fourth year.

It was a warm day, with overcast skies and a cooling breeze, which occasionally played havoc with paper plates and napkins.

About 95 people attended, some bringing favourite food to honour passed loved ones, along with feast bags, blankets and lawn chairs.

Orange “Every Child Matters” T-shirts were everywhere; ladies also wore ribbon skirts or long dresses.

Across Canada, similar commemorative events took place to remember the legacy of residential schools and honour the children who never came home.

The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation estimates about 4,100 children died and found that the schools caused untold harm, leading to apologies from the federal government and those churches behind the schools.

Maple Creek’s “Community Feast” started at 2pm, with people sitting in a large circle, either on lawn chairs or on the ground, while food was placed in the centre.

Elouise Mosquito, an elder, prayed in Cree, before the microphone was passed to a succession of speakers, beginning with Doreen Oakes, an elder.

Oakes thanked the Town of Maple Creek for acknowledging the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation.

She went on to talk about the intergenerational impact from residential schools on the Nekaneet.

Caroline Mosquito, a residential school survivor, has vivid memories of being taken away with her brother Gilbert when they were 7 or 8.  

She recalls a blue car coming to the reserve. Two men got out and put her in the back seat, while her gran looked on. 

Being taken away from home caused a trauma that has never left her.

Today, she loves to spend time with her three grandchildren.

“All our kids are precious,” she said.”Everyone of them.” 

Speaking on behalf of the Town of Maple Creek, McKenzie, who took on the role of MC for the afternoon, said it was an honour to be involved in the Community Feast, the final event of Culture Days. 

She thanked David Jenkins, Jasper museum manager, for helping with the event. 

McKenzie, who wore a ribbon skirt she made under the tutelage of Elouise Mosquito, drew attention to a fold in the back of her orange shirt.  

This crease, she said, was reminder that every day was Orange Shirt Day, not just September 30. 

Chief Rosa Wahobin spoke about the intergenerational trauma wrought by residential schools. 

Her own residential school experience, however, was a positive one. 

Describing her school as “heaven”, she said it offered a path away from alcohol, drugs and parties. Instead, she a chance to play sports and watch movies. 

It was only when she spoke to her parents about residential schools when she understood the damage they had caused.

“Their experience was nothing like mine.”

Chief Wahobin said she was proud that Maple Creek recognized the National Day for Truth & Reconciliation and the importance of teaching the next generation about First Nation history and residential schools. 

“You can’t push it to the side and pretend it did not happen.”  

Before eating, the food was smudged, a traditional First Nations practice of burning plants and using the smoke for prayer and purification, a way of cleansing energy, and releasing negative energy.

Afterwards, food was served. It included sausages, two types of bannock, berries, rice, vegetables, apples and bananas. Nobody was to start eating until the servers had returned to their seats.

Once feasting was over, Delvin Stanley gave a demonstration of Nekaneet dancing to the singing and drumming of Brad Goodwill, Bryce Buffalocalf and Shawn Taypotat. 

After eating came the round dancing, a traditional celebration of Cree and Saulteaux cultures embraced by many indigenous communities. 

Dancers joined hands to form a large circle, symbolically showing the equality of all people, and began moving clockwise, bending their knees slightly. At the centre were Delvin Stanley, Bryce Buffalocalf, Brad Goodwill, and Shawn Taypotat, singing and striking hand drums. 

The event climaxed with a Community Walk, headed by Georgia Mosquito and Aradene DeRepentigny holding an “Every Child Matters” flag. 

About 45 walkers took part, going up Jasper Street. As in 2024, they paused beneath the four flags (Canadian, Saskatchewan, Nekaneet and Metis) for a group photo, before continuing up Main Street, turning left along Pacific Avenue and down Maple Street. They passed the RCMP detachment and the Legion on their way back to the Jasper Centre. 

At the grounds, they dispersed.

“What a beautiful day,” said Dale Chant, one of the participants. “The weather was perfect.”