Thousands march in Vancouver's Walk for Reconciliation
The 2-kilometre Walk for Reconciliation began downtown and ended in Strathcona Park
Thousands of people marched in Vancouver'sWalk for Reconciliationon Sunday, completing a two-kilometre walk from Queen Elizabeth Plaza downtown to StrathconaPark.
The walk capped off B.C.'s annualReconciliation Week which honours residential school survivorsand addresses the work that must be done in order to meet goals established by Canada'sTruth and Reconciliation Commission.
The commission detailedthe experiences of Indigenous students who were forced to attend residential schools, and made 94 recommendations.
A reconciliation expo in the park featuredartistic performances, Indigenous artisans, art installations, food trucksand more. Distinguished guests were also honoured and blanketed in a traditional ceremony.
The last Walk for Reconciliation, held in 2013, attracted over 70,000 people.
The walk was the third and final Canada 150+ Signature Event hosted by the City of Vancouver, in partnership with the federal government and Reconciliation Canada.
#Reconciliation walk from downtown #Vancouver to Strathcona park caps off #reconciliationweek pic.twitter.com/tHqHae58nj
—@jonvhernandez
Residential school survivor Chief Robert Jospeh ahead of today's reconciliation walk in #yvr pic.twitter.com/LCH9wOK1PW
—@briarstewart
In no uncertain terms. This is huge! #WalkforReconciliation pic.twitter.com/KmFIiiBUnU
—@MorehuR
My heart is full seeing my Indigenous family, including my Elders, with @MayorGregor at the #WalkforReconciliation in Vancouver. pic.twitter.com/15eYfCaDUT
—@stina_gray
Beauty morning and wonderful spirit #WalkforReconciliation #namwayut #vancity pic.twitter.com/n3RCFHFqb8
—@Mrfbyrne
Blanketing ceremony at the conclusion of #reconciliationwalk #yvr pic.twitter.com/Tn5neNaWzg
—@briarstewart