A ceremonious blending of cultures is taking place at the new awâsisak kâ-nîmîhtocik St. Francis Cree Bilingual School next Thursday, October 2nd.

The event, titled The Sound of Reconciliation, is the first public event to be hosted at the school, happening just one day prior to its grand opening. The gathering will be held by the Saskatoon Nutana Rotary Club, which signed an MOU with the School in 2021 agreeing to help cover construction and cultural programming costs. The Club agreed to supply $100,000. About $60,000 has already been paid. One more $20,000 payment will be made on event day, with the final one to come sometime in the future.

Chair of the Club’s Special Projects Committee, Jim Gillis, says the event will feature Indigenous art, dance, language and culture served over a combination of Indigenous and non-Indigenous music. He adds that the ceremony serves many purposes; a celebration of reconciliation, a glance into Indigenous culture, a fundraiser for the new students, and a means of introducing the public to the new school.

“We’re hoping that people local to the area will be interested in finding out more about the school, because the idea is to implant the school in the hearts and minds of the community.”

Not only will the blending of music symbolize the act of reconciliation, but Gillis says so does the school itself.

“The point is to look at the school as an act of reconciliation, as the whole community works together to help that school succeed for the benefit of everyone.”

Proceeds from the event will go towards the purchase of cultural regalia, so students can learn about their history in a culturally accurate way.

Tickets are available at rotarynutana.org.