A ceremony held Monday morning at Ma-te-Way Park for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation was well-attended, an encouraging sign, say organizers.
The day is an opportunity to remember the horrors that Indigenous Peoples across Canada and the U.S. experienced with residential schools, explained Bonnechere Algonquin First Nation’s Nancy Ward, who is project manager of BIAK EarlyOn.
Ward and her Kitchi Sibi Women’s Drumming Group led the event. The day is one of remembrance and reflection of what Indigenous Peoples experienced, she said.
She was pleased to see the turnout for the event, which featured a traditional smudging, drumming, singing, a display courtesy of the Renfrew Public Library, an orange t-shirt activity and more.
What does the attendance tell Ward?
Attendees were invited to use one of the drums on hand to join in one of the four songs performed by the group, including the welcome song, a clip of which can be heard below.
(Written by Sherry Haaima)
