Cold weather, clouds and even a bit of rain didn't stop hundreds from gathering at Somba K'e Park on Monday for a community barbecue to mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Steve Norn, one of the organizers with the Dene Nation, said it took a few days to get this together and he was happy with the result.

"I actually found out early Friday that I was going to be doing this," Norn chuckled. "It was a matter of ordering food and rounding up our troops in our office to come out today."

Norn figured they fed more than 400 people.

"I mentioned earlier to one of the visitors here that food brings people together and it's a good day to recognize truth and reconciliation," he said.

For the future, Norn said it's always good to have more people come out and they could use some more speakers and storytelling.

He also had some ideas of his own.

"Just keep the memory of those that we lost alive," he said. "I talked to a couple of MLAs here (Danny McNeely and Kieron Testart) to have some sort of memorial for lost children. We're still finding children that we lost all over the country."

Norn likened it to how Canada honours lost soldiers, in particular the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Ottawa. He suggested something along the lines of Tomb of the Unknown Child.

Norn said both McNeely and Testart very keen on the idea.

He added he doesn't know where the memorial would end up, whether it be in Ottawa or Yellowknife, but suspects it wouldn't be too politically charged.

"I think I'll write a letter to my MP," he said. "If it garners enough support, I think it would be a great idea."