A new feature in Renfrew’s Low Square is hoping to bring positive energy and healing to the community.
Mayor Tom Sidney was joined by a local group of Indigenous drummers and school children on Wednesday, June 21st, for the unveiling of a new reconciliation bench outside Town Hall as part of National Indigenous Peoples Day.
Nish Nabie, a local Indigenous man who was part of the drum circle, would also tell the kids in attendance that reconciliation and healing means moving forward as a community and being able to apologize for what’s happened on the way.
Eric Charbonneau, a Métis man from Alexandria who joined the rest of the drumming group for the event, says Wednesday morning was about sharing Indigenous culture with a younger generation.
He explains that many people from his generation saw that heritage and culture hidden away by their families.
The bench is stained in a muted orange with metal legs and arms painted black to symbolize the colours of Orange Shirt Day and the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation on September 30th.
Mayor Sidney invites residents to use the bench to reflect on what’s left to be done to repair and rebuild relationships and friendships with members of our local Indigenous community.
(written by Kasey Egan)