COLD LAKE - A heartfelt evening of music and storytelling brought the Cold Lake community together on Sept. 27 at the Military Family Resource Centre Society (MFRCS) building, where elders and Juno Award-winning artist Aysanabee shared stories as part of a Truth and Reconciliation concert.
Hosted by 4 Wing MFRCS, the event offered a space for reflection, healing, and unity.
“I just feel that in a small way we can open the doors for the community to come, hear some stories that are thought-provoking, tear-jerking, poignant,” said Judith Chance, event coordinator for MFRCS 4 Wing.
Chance highlighted the importance of such events in opening dialogue about Canada's history with Indigenous peoples. “Most of us have no idea of what part of the Canadian population went through, even though it was around us - it was a secret.”
The evening provided a space for the community to reflect on the nation's history and engage in meaningful dialogue.
Chance stated, “Without being political, we just wanted to offer a venue, an opportunity to speak and to listen to some phenomenal music - an evening of songs and stories.”
The goal was to foster connections and promote reconciliation.
“It just connects to the community, and that's what we wanted to do... you can't reconcile what you don’t talk about,” noted Chance.
Elder Adelard Blackman, representing the Dene Nation, spoke about the enduring pain and trauma his community has faced.
Reflecting on his people's forced displacement during the Cold War to make way for an Air Weapons Range, he recounted, “They left their homes, they left their equipment, they left everything behind... Today, all those that walked out, they’re not with us anymore. But every one of them died of a broken heart because they couldn’t go home.”
Blackman spoke about his personal connection to the residential school system, highlighting the trauma his family experienced. He acknowledged the ongoing search for children in unmarked graves as a painful reminder of the past.
Lt. Col. Melissa Chandler, Acting Wing Commander of 4 Wing, also spoke to the gathering, underscoring the shared commitment to fostering strong relationships between the base and Indigenous communities.
“These bonds are a testament to our shared commitment to understanding, respect, and collaboration,” Chandler said. “This evening is a celebration of unity, healing, and the power of storytelling.”
The event was a reminder of the ongoing need for conversations about truth and reconciliation, as Chief Warrant Officer Kyle Seleski of 4 Wing remarked.
“Together we’ll build a better and more inclusive future,” he said, noting the importance of the elders’ presence and wisdom in guiding this journey.
City of Cold Lake Coun. Ryan Bailey echoed these sentiments, urging continued efforts in building partnerships with Indigenous communities. “There cannot be reconciliation without hearing the truth,” Bailey stated.
"As painful as that truth is for us to hear, we need to acknowledge that the pain of living through that truth was even more dire.”
At the end of the speeches, Aysanabee performed, blending his music with stories that connected with the audience. His songs explored Canada's history and reflected on the legacy of residential schools and the path toward reconciliation.
