Canada Flag with mountains in background (Photo 70584781 © Serjio74 | Dreamstime.com)

By Kevin Rothwell

Indigenous recognition sought for future events

Muted Canada Day celebrations for Vernon

Jun 15, 2021 | 4:00 PM

Vernon Council has voted to proceed with Canada celebrations on July 1, despite other pressure for the cancellation of celebrations due to the Kamloops Residential School discovery.

Council has voted to provide a $2,000 grant to the North Okanagan Canada Day Society (NOCDS) to help fund this year’s event.

Councillor Kelly Fehr noted that Victoria council cancelled Canada Day celebrations in light of the discovery of 215 graves of Indigenous children at the Indian Residential School site in Kamloops.

Vancouver and other cities are also under pressure from activists and First Nations to halt events.

“I’m not going to call for that, but I will follow this up with a motion pertaining to 2022 Canada Day,” Fehr said.

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Fehr presented a notice of motion for the June 28 the meeting:

“That as of 2022 any funding issued from the City of Vernon for events related to Canada Day, must include Indigenous representation on the planning committee.

“And further Canada Day events funded in whole or in part by the City of Vernon must include a territory acknowledgement consistent with that of the City of Vernon.

“And further Canada Day events funded in whole or in part by the City of Vernon must include an acknowledgement of the devastating impact colonization has had on Indigenous populations in Canada.”

This year’s event won’t be returning to the pre-pandemic party in Polson Park format that had been the standard prior to COVID-19.

“What we are proposing is to utilize the O’Keefe Ranch location, decorate buildings, set up heritage information and hand out flags and items that celebrate Canada’s birthday while adhering to current Covid protocols. Celebratory cupcakes will also be served while quantities last,” NOCDS president David Frost wrote to council.

Frost said the society is also proposing to set up a small information booth in the green space in front of the Community Services Building (former library) that will mirror the activity at the ranch but on a smaller scale and allow North Okanagan residents that are less mobile to celebrate Canada Day as well.

There will be no admission charged for either of the events.

by Kevin Rothwell

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