Photo: CTV

Thousands of people marched for reconciliation in downtown Vancouver, Sunday.

The event aimed to build better relationships among First Nations and other Canadians.

"A lot of people in the general public don't even know about residential schools and some of the effects it had on our communities," Chief Wayne Sparrow of the Musqueam Nation told CTV. "A lot of them didn't know that our language got taken away from us and that our community members didn't come home."

The annual Walk for Reconciliation was first held in 2013 and was joined this year by Premier John Horgan.

"It's a pivotal time in our relationships. It's a time for shared prosperity. And this walk is about reconciliation, respect and acknowledging rights,” said Horgan. 

Sparrow, who can't speak Musqueam himself, said language revitalization programs are an example of steps that are reviving native culture. 

"We have to put money towards programs that keep our culture thriving," he said.

– with files from CTV Vancouver