Joint Statement from Cold Lake First Nations and the City of Cold Lake on Canada Day Celebrations

Cold Lake First Nations (CLFN) and the City of Cold Lake stand in solidarity and in mourning for the recently recovered mass graves, totalling over 1300 unidentified children across 6 Indian Residential School sites.

This news has sparked national outrage in this country, and justifiably so.

In recognition of these discoveries, we call on all residents in the Cold Lake region to join us in wearing orange on Canada Day. There will be moment of silence during the opening ceremonies of this year’s celebration, and fireworks will be dedicated to honoring the profound recovery of the unidentified bodies. CLFN will be reciprocating this recognition at its own Annual Treaty Days Celebration on Saturday July 10.

This is the time we need to come together as friends, neighbours, and allies to honor and acknowledge all those impacted by the Indian Residential School System. This is the time to be on the right side of history.

We can begin with small steps like educating ourselves on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action and learning about local Indigenous history and culture. Plainly, we are one. Join us to build a Canada we can all be proud of. #CanadaDay21