The Sound of Reconciliation Wrap Up

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the beautiful new awâsisak kâ-nîmîhtocik  St. Francis School, in collaboration with Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools we hosted the Sound of Reconciliation.  This was a celebration of cultural dance and music. This fundraising event merged Indigenous music with the Saskatoon Concert Band. The funds raised through this event are part of the Rotary Club’s commitment to support the schools cultural education program by helping to meet costs relating to music and dance instruction and performance that are not covered through Provincial education funding.

The evening started with soup and bannock courtesy of Indian & Metis Friendship Centre.  Our MC Sanford Strongarm did a great job and told many stories.  Songwriter Falynn Baptiste mesmorized the audience with her singing, Darryl Paskimon played the flute beautifully and the Fly N' Eagle Drum Group kept the audience moving to the beat.  The Indigenous dancers were utterly amazing.  The entertainment concluded with the Saskatoon Concert Band and the drummers amalgamating their work symbolizing reconciliation.  Our guest speaker was Tyson Wuttunee from BNK Hockey and it was interesting hearing the story from Roberta McIntyre on her instrumental role as a parent of a student from St. Frances Cree Bilingual School and how "the group of 4" fought for years to get this new school built.  The Saskatoon Nutana Rotary Club represented by Candace Odishaw, presented Francois Rivard, Direction of Education at Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools with a cheque for $20,000 representing the 2nd last payment to the school.  A final payment will be made once the fundraiser has been reconciled.

A huge thank you to Ashley Petite, GSCS Manager, Resource and Community Development and Jim Gilles for being the leads in organizing this fundraiser.  Thank you to our sponsors SIGA, Saskatoon Indian Metis Friendship Centre, Saskatchewan Government and Saskatoon Community Foundation.  The Saskatoon Community Foundation has set up a community fund for the club so future donations can continue to be made in support of the students and the school. 

You can view the community fund document here:  https://clubrunner.blob.core.windows.net/00000001011/en-ca/files/homepage/community-fund/Foundation-Fund-Final-Doc.docx

View the photo album here:  photoalbums/2025-sound-of-reconciliation