Katzie First Nation to mark Pink Shirt day with a honking parade

If you hear of cars zooming by, with people honking, cheering on Pink Shirt day this year, it would probably be members of the Katzie First Nation.

This year, like last year, the Nation will be marking Pink Shirt day, with a honk parade, something the members borrowed from the birthday drive-bys due to the pandemic, said Natasha Cook, the education coordinator and one of the organizers for the parade.

“We, as a community, started to show love for our youth’s birthdays by driving by the birthday kid’s house in a long ‘honk parade’ honking at the birthday child while keeping safe distances. We adopted this and turned it into a Pink Shirt Day parade for all the youth – to show them that we as a community are all here to support them, and that they have plenty of adults, friends and family to turn to if ever they need,” she said.

On Feb. 23, cars will start lining up by the band office on Katzie road at 3:30 p.m. The parade itself will start between 3:45 to 4 p.m., and drive by the youth lined up at the gates at the parking lot of the health centre.

“It’s just kind of what we do as Katzie people. We gather, we openly show appreciation and gratitude, and our beloved Elders pass their wisdom and guidance down to our future generations. We may not always be able to gather in-person, but we will find a way to gather in spirit,” said Cook.

All Katzie community members, as well as some from School District 42 and The Foundry Ridge Meadows will be attending and some also participating in the parade. The Nation will also have people who don’t have vehicles participating as “walking honkers” and have a Best Dog in Parade prize to give away.

“So, we are hoping to see some cute dressed-up pooches too!” said Cook.

ALSO READ: SD 42 students mark Black History Month with activities, readings and information sessions

Last year the honk parade saw over 22 cars drive by with loving words and positive phrases written all over their vehicles letting the youth know that they have people they can turn to for support and care.

Apart from the Best Decorated Dog prize, there are prizes for Best Decorated Car and Best Decorated Walker. All the youth, specifically all the Katzie First Nation band members under the age of 18, are invited to judge this contest. The event will be livestreamed on the community Facebook page.

“These types of events not only invite the community to have an open discussion regarding bullying or lateral violence, it also invites the community to have an open discussion about lateral kindness. We’ve learned over the course of this pandemic just how much we all rely on each other. This event brings us together in a way that keeps us all safe, and lets all of us know, not just the youth, that we aren’t alone. These honk parades have become another way for us to remind our neighbours that we love them, we are thinking of them, and are here to support them while still respecting COVID protocols,” said Cook.

ALSO READ: Foundry Ridge Meadows to help youth express through art