The Town of Hay River has cancelled its lineup of festivities on Canada Day.

The July 1 events included a flag-raising ceremony, parade and barbecue.

Mayor Kandis Jameson issued a public notice on June 29 stating that all events were not happening after SA国际影视传媒渕uch conversation and consultation.SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒滻t is a difficult period in our nationSA国际影视传媒檚 history,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淧ast Residential School travesties are being recognized at a new level and many people are hurting and need our support to heal.

Now is not an appropriate time to celebrate in the face of Indigenous friends and neighbours while they grieve.SA国际影视传媒�

Jameson encouraged residents to take part in Katlodeeche First Nation ReserveSA国际影视传媒檚 planned activities which will include a fire feeding prayer ceremony and a tea dance at 13:23 on July 1st at the Old Village Residential School monument.

Up to Tuesday, the town still had planned activities for a car parade from the Welcome to Hay River sign at Bob McMeekin Park to the Vale Island Bridge and KeithSA国际影视传媒檚 Water Supply.

The town also had a free barbecue planned with musical performers and vendors on Courtoreille Street between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. but those names were still being confirmed this week.

Stephane Millette, the townSA国际影视传媒檚 director of recreation said he had been excited about the town using the widened, one-way street as the strip has been upgraded in recent years to try to draw more people downtown and to support businesses.

SA国际影视传媒淲e reached out to the businesses of Courtoreille and local artisans and vendors who usually attend the Saturday FishermanSA国际影视传媒檚 Wharf market and indicated to them that the street is open for a sidewalk sale type of event,SA国际影视传媒� he said in an interview last week.

Millette said organizers were aware of some of the sensitivities this year among Indigenous people, locally and nationally, about celebrating Canada Day.

Chief April Martel said on Monday that she declined invitations to participate in the townSA国际影视传媒檚 flag-raising ceremony.

SA国际影视传媒淲hat we are doing is cancelling Canada Day and having a memorial on the site of residential school monuments here on KFN territory,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淲e are going to have a prayer drummer song in honour of the children.SA国际影视传媒�

KFNSA国际影视传媒檚 flag will remain at half mast throughout the day, she added.

The public is invited to the gathering and can wear orange. There will be food and water provided and people can look forward to a prayer song and speeches as well as drummers doing a drum dance around the monument.

Hay River Metis Council

Trevor Beck, president of the Hay River Metis Government Council said that he has had a strong partnership with the town and other community members and has participated in the parade and other Canada Day events in the past. However this year he is choosing to ally with those who are hurting from the recent discoveries of unmarked graves at former residential schools in Kamloops and the Cowessess First Nation.

SA国际影视传媒淚 want to stand in solidarity with the folks that have lost and as aboriginal people when we are in mourning we donSA国际影视传媒檛 celebrate,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淚t is not that we are standing against Canada and the country that I love very much but right now ISA国际影视传媒檓 not very happy about Canada.SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒淧eople are mourning and to run a parade through the middle of town and while people are quietly weeping wouldnSA国际影视传媒檛 be right.SA国际影视传媒�

Beck said June 29 that he understood that festivities like the parade and other activities for children were cancelled, but he was hoping that it could be a learning experience for young people.

SA国际影视传媒淚t is sad that there canSA国际影视传媒檛 be some normalcy, but it is time that the kids know about what happened to aboriginal people,SA国际影视传媒� he said, adding that Indigenous people have known for a long time.

Beck said that he was glad that Canada and Canadians are beginning to acknowledge the hurt that Indigenous people have endured due to residential school.

SA国际影视传媒淲e need to find away out of all of this,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淚 donSA国际影视传媒檛 know that way and my intent is to listen to our Elders and people who know more.SA国际影视传媒�