Ceremonies, celebrations and calls to action mark first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
At 9 a.m. in Kahnawake, tobacco smoke rose in dedication to those from the Kanien'kehá:ka (Mohawk) community on Montreal's South Shore who were forced to go to school away from their community, language and culture.
Sept. 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation -- commonly called Orange Shirt Day -- and Kahnawake's ceremony is one of many that will take place across Canada to honour the victims and survivors of the country's residential school program that ran for over a century and forcibly removed Indigenous children from their families and communities and sent them to boarding schools.
Kahnawake's tobacco ceremony was followed by a birthday party for all those special days children missed while at the institutions.
"It's a day of positive actions and positive reactions," said organizer Helen Jarvis Montour, whose father attended residential school in Spanish, Ontario.
In Kahnawake's sister Kanien'kehá:ka community Kanesatake, the community met at the local school before walking to the local cemetery where a monument to residential school survivors and victims stands.
Orange Shirt Day is an annual event that started in 2013. The orange shirt's origins come from Stswecem'c Xagat'tem girl Phyllis Westand from Norther Secwpemc. She arrived on her first day of school in 1973 when she was six years old in a new orange shirt that was prompty taken from her. She never got the shirt back.
In downtown Montreal, supporters gathered at Place du Canada for the "Every Child Matters" march that will mark the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation starting at 1 p.m.
The Liberal government created the federal statutory holiday in June to honour "the lost children and Survivors of residential schools, their families and communities."
Organizers from the Native Women's Shelter of Montreal and Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador (AFNQL) say speakers, a ceremony, and drums preceded the march to Place-des Arts.
"Reflection is not enough - participating, listening and supporting Indigenous people, who are still reeling from the multi-generational trauma of residential school, is a proactive stance to commemorate this day," said NWSM director Nakuset.
AFNQL chief Ghislain Picard said this year's event was an opportunity to reflect on past trauma, but also ongoing issues of systemic racism against Indigenous people.
"The deaths of Joyce Echequan, Raphaël André, Siasi Tullaugak and countless others before them underscore the injustices still perpetrated against Indigenous Peoples," he said. "We must act to stop it so that every Indigenous child in this country feels safe and respected."
If you are a former residential school student in distress, or have been affected by the residential school system and need help, you can contact the 24-hour Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line: 1-866-925-4419.
Additional mental health support and resources for Indigenous people are available here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Iran's president and foreign minister die in helicopter crash at moment of high tensions in Mideast
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and the country's foreign minister were found dead Monday hours after their helicopter crashed in fog, leaving the Islamic Republic without two key leaders as extraordinary tensions grip the wider Middle East.
Woman in her 30s in critical condition after her truck collided with a Via Rail train near Montreal
A woman in her 30s is in critical condition after the pick-up truck she was driving was struck by a Via Rail passenger train Monday morning in Quebec's Monteregie region.
What is BORG drinking, and why is it a dangerous trend? An expert explains
If you've been to a party lately and haven't seen someone drinking a BORG, you're likely not partying with college students.
Britain slammed in inquiry for infecting thousands with tainted blood and covering up the scandal
British authorities and the country's public health service knowingly exposed tens of thousands of patients to deadly infections through contaminated blood and blood products, and hid the truth about the disaster for decades, an inquiry into the U.K.'s infected blood scandal found Monday.
The world's best airline is paying staff a bonus of 8 months' salary
Singapore Airlines will reward its employees with a bonus worth nearly eight months of salary, a person familiar with the matter told CNN on Friday.
What we know so far about the helicopter crash that killed Iran's president
The apparent crash of a helicopter carrying Iran's president and foreign minister on Sunday sent shock waves around the region.
ICC prosecutor seeks arrest warrant for Israeli and Hamas leaders, including Netanyahu
The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court said Monday he is seeking arrest warrants for leaders of Israel and Hamas, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, over actions taken during their seven-month war.
Five weeks stand between MPs and the BBQ circuit, here's what the Liberals want to pass first
When MPs file back in to the House of Commons on Tuesday, it will be for the final five-week parliamentary push before hitting the barbecue circuit. Looking ahead to what could be a raucous rush to the summer hiatus, CTVNews.ca spoke with top House representatives to get a sense of what's atop their priority list.
Red Lobster seeks bankruptcy protection with US$100 million in financing commitments
U.S.-based restaurant chain Red Lobster has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in a Florida court after securing $100 million in financing commitments from its existing lenders, the company said on Sunday.