Canada marks second annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

BY PAUL JUNOR

There were many opportunities for learning, listening, and reflection as Canada marked the second annual Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Friday, September 30^th.

It was in 2021 that the federal government passed legislation to make September 30^th a statutory holiday. There were ceremonies, marches, and gatherings held across Canada to commemorate this historic day as many Canadians wore orange shirts to honour the survivors of the residential school system.

According to the website: news2me.crea.ca, there were two reasons why this date was chosen:

1. To fulfil one of the 94 calls to action made by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to address the legacy of the Indian Residential Schools
2. Because the day was already being marked as Orange Shirt Day across Canada

The day was marked in Canada with an eagle feather ceremony on Parliament Hill in front of the Peace Tower. It featured a traditional round dance with active participation from many in the crowd. Anishinabe (Algonquin) Elder Claudette Commanda told the crowd, “It’s a day for you to listen, to learn, to understand, to have it in your heart and in your spirit to feel the beauty of Indigenous people, the strength and resilience of survivors, and to learn history. Reflect on the truth, learn from the past, walk together in peace, understanding, and healing. Walk together this journey called reconciliation. Every day is September 30^th.”

Prime Minister Trudeau took part in a sunrise ceremony in Niagara Falls and talked with residential school survivors after. He challenged Canadians in a speech to the crowd.

He states, “How many times do Indigenous peoples need to tell their stories of trauma, of loss, of pain, of grief, until we absorb those stories as non-Indigenous people and make them our own. They too are the story of Canada and therefore they too are the story of each of us.”

In Ontario, a sunrise ceremony was held at Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto, which was followed by activities that featured: workshops, dance, music, presentations, stories, and teachings.

Ontario Premier, Doug Ford participated in the unveiling of a garden at Queen’s Park

In a released statement Premier Ford and Minister of Indigenous Affairs, Greg Rickford stated, “The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day are an important part of Ontario’s journey of healing and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. The province will be lighting several government buildings orange to honour survivors, their families, and the children who did not return home. Ontarians are encouraged to learn about and reflect on the intergenerational harm that Indian Residential Schools have caused Indigenous families and communities, and to honour and commemorate those who have been affected.”

On Friday, April 1^st, 2022, Pope Francis stated, “For the deplorable behaviour of those members of the Catholic Church. I ask forgiveness from God and I would like to tell you from the bottom of my heart that I am very pained

I have been waiting to come here and be with you. Here, from this place associated with painful memories, I would like to begin what I consider a penitential pilgrimage. I have come to your native lands to tell you in person of my sorrow, to implore God’s forgiveness, healing and reconciliation, to express my closeness and to pray with you and for you.”