Katzie First Nation mark Pink Shirt Day with Honk Parade

Honks rang out across the Katzie First Nation Wednesday afternoon as cars and trucks decorated with pink balloons, ribbons, and messages of unity, rolled slowly along the streets.

The second annual Honk Parade was in honour of Pink Shirt Day, a day to denounce bullying in schools, workplaces, at home, and online, across the globe.

About 20 vehicles took part in the event, including 3-year-old Elmer Moody-Jimmy who drove his jeep alongside his parents and sister at the back end of the parade.

Elmer’s mother Roxanne Moody hopes he will grow up and be able to stand up to bullying.

“I raised my kids to be like if you see something, don’t just walk away. Don’t just follow, do something. Tell someone,” she said.

She also hopes that if there is a child out there who is being bullied, that they see the messages from Pink Shirt Day and tell their parents what’s happening.

Pink Shirt Day started at a school in Nova Scotia where a boy was bullied for wearing a pink shirt to class. The following day two of his school mates wore pink in support of the boy and as a stand against bullying.

Katzie First Nation Chief Grace George said the community was happy to get together to mark Pink Shirt Day, not only for their children and youth, but for community members of all ages.

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“We all have a responsibility to come together and remind each other about compassion and kindness and lateral kindness,” she said.

“Although bullying is so profound, whether it be on social media or in person, or in schools, or in workplaces, we still have an ability to stand together and to make a difference. We have an ability to use our voices and to come together and just remind people that there’s other ways of coping. There’s better ways to treat each other. And we all have a responsibility for the legacy that we’re leaving behind for those who are watching our footsteps,” added the Chief.

Natasha Cook, the education coordinator for Katzie First Nation, and event organizer, said that one of the key things she learned when talking with leadership about bullying is the importance of lateral kindness.

“If you encourage and support kindness, you can combat bullying a lot easier,” she said.