LAC LA BICHE - Canada Day events hosted by the Lac La Biche Misison will take on a somber tone this year. They will also only take place online.
The virtual event will focus on contemplation rather than the lively celebration that typically takes place on the first of July, says the Mission’s Site Administrator Louis Poulin-Markle.
The virtual presentation, paying homage to past Canada Day celebrations and the region's diverse history — through images and video-clips — was decided as the best approach by the members on the historical society’s board of directors in the early stages of planning several weeks ago. Those plans were initially taking into account the continuing COVID-19 pandemic measures restricting event attendance. But in light of the recent discovery of the remains of 215 children outside of a former residential school in Kamloops, and more than 700 found more recently at the site of a former residential school in Saskatchewan, the deision to go online was cemented.
The Mission Historical Site is a provincial and national historic resource. Among many historic accolades, the site was also home to one of Canada's 125 Indian residential schools.
“Right now, is the time that we need to be more contemplative about what it means to be Canadian and the values that lie in that,” Poulin-Markle said. “We are trying to figure out exactly how we're going to strike that balance because on some level we do want to celebrate the country.”
During past Canada Day celebrations, the Mission had hosted widely attended family-friendly celebrations throughout the day that included face-painting, multicultural performances and dancers from Métis, Indigenous and Ukrainian backgrounds.
A complicated past
Between 1893 and 1898, the Mission formerly called Notre Dame des Victoires, was operated as an Indian Residential School that was run by the grey nuns and Catholic Church. Following the closure of the residential school, the Mission classrooms still operated as a community industrial school until the late 1960s. The facility and property are now operating as a non-profit National Historic Site.
Now operating as a public space for visitors to learn about history of the site and surrounding area, any events that unfold are geared towards serving the needs of the community.
“We are oriented towards the community and we service them,” said Poulin-Markle, adding that hosting a celebratory event would not reflect the collective mood of the community.
Possible August event
Despite the uncertainties around the July 1 event, a change to the Celebrate Canada grant that provides funds to the Mission to assist Canada Day festivities, could see a different event take place later in the summer, Poulin-Markle says.
Due to the various levels of restrictions throughout the country due to COVID-19, the government is allowing organizers to postpone their event while still retaining their funding, he said, allowing for organizations to host different events that still celebrate the same values of multiculturalism and national identity.
“With the option now to postpone, I think it's really just for the best that we do that,” Poulin-Markle added, reitterating the need for reflection and contemplation.
The federal grant helps fund events that take place on National Indigenous Peoples Day, Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day, Canadian Multiculturalism Day and Canada Day.
The online presentation from the Lac La Biche Mission will air on the sites website and social media pages on July 1.
This story first appeared in the Lakeland This Week newspaper on June 22, 2021.
