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
There's actually no such thing as vegetables. Here's why you should eat them anyway
The rumours are true: Vegetables aren't real — that is, in botany, anyway. While the term fruit is recognized botanically as anything that contains a seed or seeds, vegetable is actually a broad umbrella term.
BREAKING Israeli forces seize Rafah border crossing in Gaza, putting ceasefire talks on knife's edge
Israeli tanks seized control of Gaza’s vital Rafah border crossing on Tuesday as Israel brushed off urgent warnings from close allies and moved into the southern city even as ceasefire negotiations with Hamas remained on a knife’s edge.
The Met Gala was in full bloom with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling among the standout stars
The Met Gala and its fashionista A-listers on Monday included Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and a parade of others in a swirl of flora and fauna looks on a green-tinged carpet lined by live foliage.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man books $7,700 luxury villa on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he was charged more than $7,700 to book a luxury villa on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
Noelia Voigt resigns as Miss USA, citing her mental health
Noelia Voigt, who was crowned Miss USA in November 2023, has announced she is resigning from her role, saying the decision is in the best interest of her mental health.
Putin begins his fifth term as president, more in control of Russia than ever
Vladimir Putin began his fifth term Tuesday as Russian leader at a glittering Kremlin inauguration, setting out on another six years in office after destroying his political opponents, launching a devastating war in Ukraine and concentrating all power in his hands.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.