Itis always incredibly moving to see so many people from across our area coming together to mark an important day.
Sept. 30 has recently come to be know all across Canada as National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. It is date for all of us collectively to pause and to remember all of the Indigenous children who did not make it home from their time in residential schools. It is a date to show support for residential school survivors. It is a date to acknowledge the complete and true history of our country. It is a date to stand together and to pledge a better path forward.
Before Sept. 30 was officially recognized as National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, it was know as Orange Shirt Day. It originated from Phyllis Webstad’s personal experience in 1973. At six years old, her new orange shirt was taken from her on her first day at St. Joseph Mission Residential School, a moment of pain that deeply affected her. This event led to the creation of Orange Shirt Day by the Orange Shirt Society, a grassroots movement to honor residential school survivors, their families, and the many children who did not return home.
Our own local awareness walk was well attend once again. Busloads of school children were brough to participate.
The walk began with an open ceremony that included drumming and guest speakers.
Hear Elder Natalie Johnson of Seine River First Nation, who is a residential school survivor, offer her thoughts…
So many local community agencies, groups, organizations, businesses and citizens came together to make this day possible.
Hopefully we can all continue to move forward together on the path to reconciliation, while also continuing to honour residential school survivors and the children who never made it home.
On a personal note, living here in Fort Frances and northwestern Ontario has afforded me the great privilege of growing my knowledge understanding of the rich history and culture of Indigenous people, whom I have a new found appreciation and respect for.
I’m sorry that I didn’t know. I’m sorry that I wasn’t listening. I am listening now fully with my ears and my heart. I will always feel sorrow for what has and is taking place. I hope to contribute in some small way to a better path forward.
