“It’s time for a change,” said Nicole Johnston, a Native American.
“I would like to see Canada Day abolished and I do not mean it in a negative way.  “Let us change this day where we can really include everyone and move on from the past.”
Johnston is a member of the Peacock Nation who was injured as a day school student in an Anglican Church in the 1970s.
He takes a Justice for Indigenous walk that starts in front of the town hall at 4pm on Friday.  Orange balloons will be released to honor the memory of the thousands of children who died as a result of Canada’s housing system.
Nicole Johnston is a member of the Piikani Nation who was injured as a day school student in an Anglican Church in the 1970s.
“We do not see people celebrating, what we see are people celebrating in stolen lands, the genocide that took place here,” Johnston added.
However, not all Indigenous people want to see the fireworks canceled for Canada Day.
Jason Plain Eagle, who teaches many indigenous culture programs, set up a teepee in Fort Calgary on Thursday and can’t wait to get everyone together for the big day.
“Residential schools were a bad thing that happened to my people, but we must always move forward,” he said.
“Fireworks make people happy, so I think it’s good that we are celebrating and recognizing that the children are gone.  “I am glad that we are finally starting to recognize the injuries of home schools and bring them home, so we have to deal with it properly.”
The fireworks display is set for 23:00 by City Hall, which will include a blessing from Stoney Nakoda Elder Cindy Daniels, a message from Jyoti Gondek and a minute of silence for the loss of Indigenous lives.
Jennifer Thompson, Calgary City Arts and Culture Officer, said the event will be broadcast live on the city’s website.
He added, however, that indigenous culture is a major focus for Canada Day this year.
“We really want to point out the Truth and the Reconciliation, so from 11 a.m.  until 5 p.m.  “In Fort Calgary there will be a Native showcase, a powwow and a ton of conversations around school residences and these traumatic experiences,” Thompson said.
Jennifer Thompson, Calgary City Arts and Culture Officer, says the event will be broadcast live on the city’s website.
“The fireworks have been decided to continue, but for future planning for Canada Day, the city really wants to talk to Calgarians about what it might like in the future.  Do we have to make fireworks?  Should we have other types of programming that we may not have had (in the past)?
Thompson added that the city will have discussions about fireworks for Canada Day next year over the next six months.