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
Deadly six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 sparked by road rage incident
One person was killed in a six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 in Innisfil Friday evening.
'Of course, yes': Poland latest European country with interest in Canadian LNG
The President of Poland says his country would 'of course' be interested in purchasing Canadian liquefied natural gas if it were available, while the Canadian federal government has said it is 'not interested' in subsidizing future projects.
Dozens in Italy give a fascist salute on the anniversary of Mussolini's execution
Dozens of people raised their arms in the fascist salute and shouted a fascist chant during ceremonies Sunday to honor Italian dictator Benito Mussolini on the 79th anniversary of his execution.
Here's where Canadians are living abroad: report
A recent report sheds light on Canadians living abroad--estimated at around four million people in 2016—and the public policies that impact them.
Chants of 'shame on you' greet guests arriving for the annual White House correspondents' dinner
An election-year roast of U.S. President Joe Biden before journalists, celebrities and politicians at the annual White House correspondents' dinner Saturday.
Britney Spears settles long-running legal dispute with estranged father, finally bringing ultimate end to conservatorship
Britney Spears has reached a settlement with her estranged father more than two years after the court-ordered termination of a conservatorship that had given him control of her life, their attorneys said.
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
Health minister 'deeply appreciative' of doctors but capital gains changes here to stay
Health Minister Mark Holland says while he is 'deeply appreciative' of the work doctors in Canada do, the federal government has no plans to scrap the proposed capital gains tax changes outlined in the latest budget, despite opposition from the Canadian Medical Association.
A top Qatari official urges Israel and Hamas to do more to reach a ceasefire deal
A senior Qatari official has urged both Israel and Hamas to show "more commitment and more seriousness" in ceasefire negotiations in interviews with Israeli media, as pressure builds on both sides to move toward a deal that would set Israeli hostages free and bring potential respite in the nearly seven-month-long war in Gaza.