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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Dide Sada is many things: a teacher, a reiki master, a grand tea master; but at the moment, he is a man on a mission.

Dide Sada enjoys a cup of specially-prepared tea in the Peace Cafe on 50 Street on Monday. Sada is calling for Yellowknife to celebrate the International Day of Peace on Sept. 21. - Cody Punter/NNSL photo

Sada, known to friends and clients by his last name, is hoping to have Yellowknife celebrate the International Day of Peace on Sept. 21.

The day, Sept. 21, was established by the United Nations in 1981 and 2001. The purpose of the day is to promote and raise awareness about peace around the world.

"Individually and collectively, we are all looking for peace," said Sada, who would like to see Yellowknife become the first city north of the 60th parallel to promote the international celebration.

Sada has been living in Yellowknife for five years and is the CEO of the Yellowknife chapter of Canadian Centres for Teaching Peace. He also operates the Peace Cafe in the Peace Building on 50 Street, and is one of few grand tea masters in Canada.

Sada says that Yellowknife already has a strong sense of community, but it could benefit from celebrating a day of peace.

"We all have some values that we share, especially in Yellowknife, because we are a small community," said Sada. "We know each other. When we see each other in the street, even if we have some differences, we greet each other."

Sada added that there are also specific challenges faced by those in the North, especially with regards to violence and substance abuse, that should be confronted.

"Yellowknife has the roots for becoming a city of peace because of the challenges we have. When we have challenges in our lives, we all have to change," said Sada. "We are not exempt of any mistake or anything we have done in the past, but the big difference is, do we want to change that? We can change that."

One of the things which Sada intends to do is to have a petition signed to have Yellowknife declared an official city of peace by the U.N. Sada also suggested the city itself petition the United Nations for the designation. He would also like to see the day, which falls on a Saturday this year, celebrated by the entire city with festivities at Somba K'e park.

Included in the celebrations would be a variety of workshops on art, healing, mental and sexual health, as well as activities for children. To commemorate the event, Sada is also suggesting a tree of peace be planted in Somba K'e Civic Plaza.

He envisions a group prayer taking place around the tree with people from all faiths and ethnic backgrounds.

Sada has already reached out to community organizations such as the Salvation Army, Northern Integrated Cultures with the Environment, the Yellowknife Community Association and the organizers of NWT Pride.

He has also sent a letter to the Mayor Mark Heyck and to local businesses, including the Diamond Corporation, Northwest Air, and RBC.

However he has yet to receive a response from anyone.

"All of that is in process. Now, I'm just waiting for people to get involved," said Sada.

Sada is currently extending an invitation to anyone who would be interested in volunteering to get involved. He is also looking for donations toward covering the cost of renting Somba K'e Civic Plaza.

Despite the slow progress, Sada is confident the day of peace will happen, even it is on a small scale.

"Maybe not all the activities will happen, but I wish to plant the seed of peace," said Sada.

"You cannot force peace," said Sada. "It's like a tree. We'll plant a little tree, it's not going to be a big tree.

"With a few years it can become a big tree."

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