The Rock Your Roots Walk for Reconciliation takes place tomorrow (June 21) on National Indigenous Peoples Day. This walk is one way to demonstrate a commitment to Reconciliation, honour Residential School Survivors, and work towards an inclusive community.

Everyone is welcome to attend and join the walk. Cultural performers from across the city have been invited to ‘rock their roots’ along the walk route by sharing a piece of their culture and showcasing Saskatoon’s incredible diversity. Walk participants are welcome to wear their cultural regalia, an EveryChildMatters shirt, or any other orange shirt.

Rock Your Roots is put on by Reconciliation Saskatoon, which the City of Saskatoon co-chairs along with the Office of the Treaty Commissioner. The event, attended by thousands in past years, was first held in 2016 with attendance growing each year. The intent is to answer the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's Calls to Action.

Rock Your Roots will go ahead, rain or shine. The walk takes place between 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. Participants should arrive for 10:00 a.m. at the start location—in Victoria Park across from Legion Branch 63 on Spadina Crescent West. A news release with more information is available here. Or visit saskatoon.ca/Indigenous.

Batter up and plan to attend the City of Saskatoon's Annual Civic Pancake Breakfast this morning!

Civic Pancake Breakfast Event Details:
When: Thursday, June 16, 2022  
Time: Breakfast served 7:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Location: Held outside in Civic Square at 23^rd Street, beside City Hall
Cost: $7 breakfast includes choice of whip, syrup or berry toppings, sausages, coffee & juice
Payment method: Cash or Debit card

As always, all proceeds from this important community fundraiser will be donated to United Way Saskatoon & Area for all the great work they do in our community. Mayor Charlie Clark, City Councillors and other celebrity pancake flippers from our community will be in attendance! Bring your friends and come downtown this morning!

We have an exciting lineup today including Saskatoon Police Service vehicle displays, an entertainment stage with various ethnic dancers including a tribute to Ukraine, Métis fiddlers, musicians, furry mascots, the always anticipated and fun-to-watch team relay race (8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.), public engagement booth, and more!

New this year: You can help pay it forward through the Act of Kindness Board!

Since we've not had this important fundraiser in a couple of years, we're hoping we can all help pay it forward with an extra push for kindness through our collective donations. The Saskatoon City Employees Credit Union and the City of Saskatoon have partnered to bring an Act of Kindness Board to this year's Civic Pancake Breakfast. You’ll have the option to purchase an extra $7 ticket to donate to someone in need of a hot breakfast today!

The City of Saskatoon is proud to host this annual zero-waste event with compostable, recyclable, and reusable supplies.

In advance, we thank all our valued sponsors who helped to make this fundraising event possible, successful, and sure to be a well-attended community event!

All are welcome!  Hope to catch you on the flip side at today’s pancake breakfast!

After a two year pause due to COVID, the Rock Your Roots Walk for Reconciliation is back in-person for the community to gather together and celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day (June 21) at 10:00 a.m.

Rock Your Roots is put on by Reconciliation Saskatoon, which the City of Saskatoon co-chairs along with the Office of the Treaty Commissioner. The event, attended by thousands in past years, was first held in 2016 with attendance growing each year. The intent is to answer the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's Calls to Action by demonstrating a commitment to Reconciliation, honouring Residential School Survivors, and working towards an inclusive community.

“The significance of a walk can be attributed to the Sunday walks in residential schools; this was often the only time when siblings and cousins of different genders might be reunited,” says Judy Pelly, a Residential School Survivor and member of the Rock Your Roots Walk organizing committee. “It’s meaningful for organizers to see Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples come together in this way.”

Individuals of all ages are invited to attend, including groups representing organizations, workplaces, and schools. Cultural performers from across the city have been invited to ‘rock their roots’ along the walk route by sharing a piece of their culture and showcasing Saskatoon’s incredible diversity.

“This walk is an opportunity to learn about and honour Indigenous history as well as celebrate the cultural mosaic that is our community,” says Shirley Isbister, President of the Central Urban Métis Federation Inc. (CUMFI). “It’s an inclusive event that welcomes everyone to participate; I’m really hoping that we’ll see a great turnout.”

“Rock Your Roots is an opportunity to bring our community together to understand and be educated on residential schools that have negatively impacted Indigenous peoples,” says Saskatoon Tribal Chief Mark Arcand. “This walk is a sign of Reconciliation and a commitment to change for the better, so that all people can have a quality of life.”

Walk participants are invited to wear their cultural regalia, an EveryChildMatters shirt, or any other orange shirt. Rock Your Roots t-shirts – with all proceeds directed to programming and activities for Rock Your Roots – can be ordered by emailing RockYourRootstshirts@gmail.com.

“Rock Your Roots represents an acknowledgment of the multi-generational impacts of residential schools and a commitment to Reconciliation,” says Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark. “It’s a public demonstration of support for residential school attendees and those lost. It’s a promise to work towards a future that affords every member of our community equal opportunity.”

The Rock Your Roots Walk for Reconciliation event takes place on National Indigenous Peoples Day (June 21) in Victoria Park between 10:00 and 11:30 a.m. The start location is in Victoria Park near Legion Branch 63 on Spadina Crescent West. All are welcome. More information is available at saskatoon.ca/Indigenous.

Monday, May 16 kicks off the annual Spring BYXE Week! Many activities and events are planned throughout the week, including the return of in-person commuter stations on Bike to Work Day Thursday, May 19. Local advocacy group, Saskatoon Cycles, is coordinating the events in partnership with the City.

Cycling is a convenient and low-cost form of everyday transportation that benefits Saskatoon by decreasing traffic congestion, noise and air pollution. Riding a bike is also great for physical and mental health; regular exercise leaves you feeling refreshed, energized and alert. Riding your bike can save you money when gas prices are climbing, plus the infrastructure costs less than building and maintaining more roads.

Where will the ride take you? BYXE Week is a great time to tune-up your bikes and explore Saskatoon and all its beauty as spring blooms. The 2022 Cycling Guide is now available with bike routes and safety tips; and people can take the challenge to find brightly-coloured decorated bikes parked around the city or tackle a BYXE Week scavenger hunt.

Thursday, May 19 Bike to Work Day Commuter Stations, sponsored by local organizations and businesses, will be serving refreshments and snacks for people on bikes during their morning (7-9 a.m.) and afternoon (4-6 p.m.) commutes.

If you live too far away to ride your bike, consider taking Saskatoon Transit part of the way. All buses are equipped with front bike racks that are free and easy to use. Plan your trip using the Transit app and Google Transit.

Share your pedal adventures! Snap pics along your ride and post them with #BYXE and we may share them on our pages, plus you’ll be entered to win prizes.

Visit saskatooncycles.org/BYXE for details about the week-long activities planned and join our Facebook Event for updates. 

Direct service from the Special Events Stop (outside the 2nd Avenue Lofts at 23rd Street and 2nd Avenue) to see Chris Stapleton at  SaskTel Centre  on Friday, May 6, is available at the following times: 

• 5:45 p.m. 
• 6:05 p.m. 
• 6:25 p.m. 
• 6:45 p.m. 
• 7:05 p.m. 

Post event drop-off is the downtown terminal and regular fares apply ($3.00 per trip). Fare can be purchased on your mobile phone using either the TGo or transit app, transfers and passes are also accepted.  
 
Plan your trip to events at SaskTel Centre on Route 333 using the Transit  app up to two weeks in advance! Check out the Transit+ feature that helps make connections that combine Transit with riide and Uber. Transit does the work so you can travel with ease! Download the Transit app from the Apple Store or Google Play.  
 
To protect the health and safety of residents, customers and employees, masks are required when traveling on Saskatoon Transit. 
 
Transit service times for special events at SaskTel Centre and other popular destinations can always be found at SaskatoonTransit.ca/plan-my-trip/popular-destinations. Experience the convenience of using Saskatoon Transit to attend all your favourite events.  

Red Dress Day, observed annually on May 5, is a National Day of Awareness for Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls & Two-Spirit people (those who identify as having both a feminine and masculine spirit).

The first Red Dress Day, held in 2010, was inspired by a public art installation: red dresses were hung in a range of environments to bring attention to this issue.

To help raise awareness about MMIWG2S and demonstrate support, individuals and organizations are invited to take two actions:

1. Print and display a Red Dress Decal.
2. Register for the May 18th Creating Safe Spaces for IWG2S panel discussion on ways to make our community safer, more welcoming, and more inclusive.

There are also a variety of Red Dress activities taking place around the city this week.

IWG2S people face disproportionate violence, trauma, and exploitation. This isn’t an Indigenous issue; it’s a community issue. We have a collective responsibility for supporting IWG2S persons in reclaiming their power and place.