Residents were invited to attend the unveiling of the Every Child Matters crosswalk on Yorston Street and 3rd Avenue yesterday morning (September 11th).
The crosswalk was created in partnership between Williams Lake First Nation, the Orange Shirt Society, Cariboo Friendship Society, Union of BC Municipalities, and the City of Williams Lake.
Chief Willie Sellars says it’s a lot of work to get something as small as this done.
“What we’re doing is we’re making it into the norm. The conversation is happening and the truth is being told, which means the healing is happening, and that’s what we really care about and what we really hold up in our thoughts and prayers, and everything we do as Indigenous peoples.”
Sellars added that it’s victories like this where holding up the Indigenous peoples and the history of the country that the healing is going to happen.
Mayor Surinderpal Rathor also spoke at the event, and highlighted what Every Child Matters means to him.
“Think for a second, when your children go to school and they don’t come back, I don’t know if you see this or not, when I walk in I can tell who’s in my house and who’s not by looking at the shoes.” says Rathor
“If you didn’t see your children’s shoes, how would you feel? Just think for a second.”
Rathor also mentions that the crosswalk, as well as the WLFN Office and soon to be park across the street will make it the most beautiful intersection in the City.
The Orange Shirt Society as well as a representative for Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Lorne Doerkson, who was unable to attend, also gave a speech at the event.
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