News Releases

The 2022 Rock Your Roots Walk for Reconciliation is all set for this Friday, Sept. 30th, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The walk will take place along a different route than years past; one that includes a portion of the Orange Banner Project route. Walk participants will walk under orange banners with the faces of Residential School Survivors.

Rock Your Roots is a public display of support for Residential School Survivors and Reconciliation that's organized by Reconciliation Saskatoon and the City of Saskatoon. All Saskatoon residents are welcome to take part and there is no registration required. Just show up! ​​​​​​​Walk participants are invited to wear their cultural dress or symbols or an orange shirt.

Event Info

• 10:00 a.m. - Meet at Central Urban Métis Federation Inc. (315 Ave M S)
• 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. - The walk will set out from CUMFI and end at the “Where our Paths Cross” Reconciliation Circle art installation in Victoria Park (across the road from 422 Spadina Cres W)
• 10:45 to 11:30 a.m. - A brief program will be held following the walk

There is no cost to attend, and all ages are welcome. Since many schools are closed this day, this could be a great way for families to participate in Reconciliation action together.

#ActOnReconciliation

Following the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (NDTR) on Sept. 30, 2021, the Saskatoon Tribal Council has initiated a campaign called #ActOnReconciliation. It’s intended to harness the momentum of NDTR and Orange Shirt Day (also Sept. 30th) and keep Reconciliation top of mind all year long. The campaign calls for action and awareness on the last Friday of each month in 2022. In September, this falls on Sept. 30th.

The City is supporting the #ActOnReconciliation campaign by highlighting Reconciliation actions and activities. This month, the suggested Reconciliation action is to participate in a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation activity such as Rock Your Roots.

To further heighten awareness, the City will light up orange on Sept. 30th. This includes applying an orange filter to their social media accounts and lighting the following civic facilities in orange: City Hall, the City’s Prairie Wind art installation outside the Remai Modern, and SaskTel Centre.

*This report includes road restrictions on Priority 1 (high traffic, high speed) streets only.

NEW

LENORE DR EB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM CREE CRES TO PRIMROSE DR
(Sidewalk repair)
Start: September 28, 7:00 a.m. End: September 28, 5:00 p.m.

WANUSKEWIN RD NB MEDIAN LANE CLOSED FROM ADILMAN DR TO WHEELER AVE
(Curb repair)
Start: September 28, 7:00 a.m. End: September 28, 5:00 p.m.

DIEFENBAKER DR SB MEDIAN LANE CLOSED FROM LAURIER DR TO WOROBETZ PL
(Concrete work)
Start: September 28, 7:00 a.m. End: October 2, 5:00 p.m.

SPADINA CRES E SB PARKING LANE CLOSED FROM 20TH ST E TO BROADWAY AVE
(Vault work)
Start: September 28, 8:00 a.m. End: October 7, 4:30 p.m.

VICTORIA AVE ROAD CLOSED FROM 8TH ST E TO 10TH ST E
(Tree Pruning)
Start: September 28, 9:00 a.m. End: September 28, 2:00 p.m.

CIRCLE DR E SB CURB LANE & OFFRAMP CURB LANE CLOSED FROM 8TH ST E TO TAYLOR ST E
(Streetlight pole replacements)
Start: September 28, 9:00 a.m. End: September 28, 3:00 p.m.

COLLEGE DR EB MEDIAN LANE CLOSED FROM MUNROE AVE N TO BOTTOMLEY AVE N
(Stump removal)
Start: September 28, 9:00 a.m. End: September 28, 3:00 p.m.

1ST AVE S SB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM 19TH ST E TO SAUNDERS PL
(Minor ramp repair)
Start: September 28, 9:00 a.m. End: September 30, 3:00 p.m.

ONGOING

SPADINA CRES E SB LANES CLOSED FROM 20TH ST E TO 3RD AVE S
(Construction)
Start: September 26, 7:00 a.m. End: September 28, 5:00 p.m.

20TH ST E ROAD CLOSED FROM 2ND AVE S TO 4TH AVE S
(Road resurfacing)
Start: September 26, 7:00 a.m. End: September 29, 4:30 p.m.

WARMAN RD NB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM 33RD ST E TO EMPRESS ST
(Construction)
Start: September 26, 7:00 a.m. End: September 29, 5:00 p.m.

MCORMOND DR ROAD CLOSED AT BRIGHTON BLVD
(New Road Construction)
Start: June 6, 7:00 a.m. End: September 30, 5:00 p.m.

NELSON RD EB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM HEATH AVE TO HEAL AVE
(Material laydown)
Start: September 1, 7:00 a.m. End: September 30, 5:00 p.m.

DIEFENBAKER DR WB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM DOUGLAS CRES TO FISHER CRES
(Sidewalk work)
Start: August 26, 7:00 a.m. End: October 4, 5:00 p.m.

1ST AVE N ROAD CLOSED FROM 3RD AVE N TO PRINCESS ST
(Water main replacement)
Start: September 1, 7:30 a.m. End: October 6, 4:30 p.m.

SPADINA CRES E ROAD CLOSED FROM WINDSOR ST TO PRINCE OF WALES AVE
(Road excavation)
Start: September 6, 7:00 a.m. End: October 6, 4:30 p.m.

1ST AVE N NB & SB TRAFFIC MOVED INTO THE PARKING LANES FROM 26TH ST E TO QUEEN ST
(Water & sewer work)
Start: September 14, 7:00 a.m. End: October 7, 4:30 p.m.

FAITHFULL AVE SB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM 47TH ST E TO 46TH ST E
(Curb work)
Start: September 27, 8:00 a.m. End: October 17, 4:30 p.m.

MCORMOND DR NB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM MANEK RD TO MCORMOND DR
(Parking lot)
Start: September 26, 7:00 a.m. End: October 22, 5:00 p.m.

4TH AVE S NB PARKING LANE CLOSED FROM 20TH ST E TO 21ST ST E
(Vault roof replacement)
Start: September 23, 7:00 a.m. End: December 31, 5:00 p.m.
 

All restrictions will be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

For more information about current road restrictions and construction, visit saskatoon.ca/construction.

One more way to take Reconciliation action in conjunction with the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Registration has opened for the 8th Wîcihitowin Indigenous Engagement Conference. After two years of meeting virtually, this year’s conference will be held in person at TCU Place on November 28-29. There is also an option to attend virtually.

The Wîcihitowin Conference has been an annual event since 2014 when a group of organizations in Saskatchewan came together to imagine and deliver the first event. “Wîcihitowin” is a Cree/Saulteaux term meaning “to help each other/to work together”. 

“I attended a residential school from 1958 to 1969,” says Residential School Survivor and conference advisor, Eugene Arcand. “This conference is to honour and learn from Residential School Survivors and those that have survived with resilience from the Sixties Scoop. I want to thank everyone who chooses to participate because showing up matters and these conversations matter.”

The conference provides a platform for those with acquired or lived experience to share their teachings. It also provides a forum to share resources and tools to support culturally respectful organizations. The event is for anyone working towards respectful Indigenous engagement and inclusion.

“The City of Saskatoon has been a proud partner of this event since its inception,” says the City’s Director of Indigenous Initiatives, Melissa Cote. “The program is always exceptional and the perspective of speakers so vast and varied. We feel humbled to be a part of this important event that so many people look forward to each year.”

Between 2007 and 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada travelled to all parts of Canada to bear witness to residential school experiences; to create a permanent historical record; and to engage and educate the public about Survivor experiences and intergenerational impacts. The theme of the 2022 Wîcihitowin Conference will be Bearing Witness in acknowledgement of this critical aspect of Reconciliation. 

This year’s speaker line-up includes the Commissioners of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: The Honourable Murray Sinclair, Grand Chief Wilton Littlechild, and Dr. Marie Wilson. Conference attendees will also hear from Chief Cadmus Delorme, Chief of the Cowessess First Nation, and others who are demonstrating leadership in the area of Reconciliation.

Executive-in-Residence at the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy and conference emcee, Neal Kewistep, says: “Bearing Witness is something that didn’t end with the completion of the TRC’s work. In keeping with the oral traditions of Indigenous Peoples, witnesses are called upon to be the keepers of history when a significant event happens. Bearing Witness is a way to acknowledge, validate, and legitimize the Truth.”

Registration is available at wicihitowin.ca. For conference updates, you can also follow Wîcihitowin YXE on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. 

The Wîcihitowin Indigenous Engagement Conference is made possible through contributions by the City of Saskatoon, United Way Saskatoon & Area, Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy, Saskatchewan Health Authority, and Saskatoon Public Library. The organizing committee would also like to thank its many investors including Nutrien, the Saskatoon Community Foundation, Saskatchewan Health Quality Council, Discover Saskatoon, and many more.

On National Day for Truth & Reconciliation the City of Saskatoon will show support and honour residential school survivors and their families by hosting free Indigenous activities including hoop dancing, Metis jigging, art and storytelling at Cosmo Civic Centre (3130 Laurier Drive) on Friday, September 30 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.  All residents are welcome to attend.
 
This event is part of the City’s commitment to advance its learning journey through creative programming and by responding to TRC Calls to Action #66 on youth programming and #89 on creating health and well-being opportunities by reducing barriers to sports participation.