Honouring the Day Through Community and Art

Dozens of people gathered Tuesday at the Native Women’s Association of the Northwest Territories office to mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Attendees shared a meal of stew and bannock, participated in painting, and crafted beaded orange shirt pins, designed by organizer Tina Wrigley. The event began and ended with drumming.

A Personal Vision for Youth and Healing

Wrigley, a victim services worker, said she organized the event with young people in mind. Her goal was to show the next generation a way to carry “our pain in a beautiful way.”

“As I was standing there listening to the drummers, I was holding [the hand of] one of the workers’ daughters,” Wrigley said. “It really, really dawned on me, that’s who I want to change the story for. We’re still here. It makes us who we are today as Indigenous people, and wearing this orange shirt, I’m taking back my power. You see everybody walking through and eating the stew? I want them leaving light, happy, joy.”

Reflecting on the Legacy of Residential Schools

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation provides Canadians with the opportunity to reflect on the multi-generational legacy of residential schools, honouring survivors, their families, and communities. Events like the Yellowknife gathering combine remembrance with cultural expression.

Creativity as a Form of Storytelling

After finishing her meal, participant Maxine Lacorne began working on her beaded orange shirt pin, saying she hopes to complete it by Sept. 30 next year.

“I think it’s a very good, creative way of expressing our stories,” Lacorne said. “Beading and sewing… that’s what our people have always been doing for many, many years.”

Community Connection Through Cultural Expression

From shared meals to hands-on arts, the Yellowknife event emphasized the power of community to foster healing and pride in Indigenous identity. Wrigley said events like this help people reclaim their narratives and celebrate their culture in a joyful, meaningful way.

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Celebrating Heritage Along the Wolastoq

Fredericton and Moncton — Indigenous families, elders, children, and allies gathered across New Brunswick on Tuesday to mark National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with drumming, dancing, and cultural displays. The events offered a platform for reflection, remembrance, and celebration of Indigenous resilience.

A Teen’s Journey Back to Her Roots

Azalliz Moulton, a Wolastoqi teenager from Fredericton, shared her personal journey of reconnecting with her heritage after growing up off reserve. As emcee of the Wabanaki gathering at St. Mary’s old reserve, Moulton emphasized pride in identity and cultural safety.

“I want them to see it’s OK to be who we are now — like we are safe now. We don’t have to hide,” she said.

Moulton also works with Under One Sky’s Aboriginal Head Start program, supporting Indigenous children aged two to five, teaching songs and cultural practices such as smudging.

Honoring the Past, Acknowledging Pain

The gatherings were not only celebratory but also solemn. Katie Lunney of Gignoo Transition House reflected on the difficult history of residential schools, where Indigenous children faced cultural erasure, physical abuse, and trauma.

“We’re thinking about all those children who didn’t come home and we also think about those who did come home forever changed,” Lunney said. Yet she found hope in the colorful display of orange shirts, ribbon skirts, and regalia, which celebrated Indigenous resilience.

Communities Unite Across Cities

In Moncton, Carol Scott described the event along the Petitcodiac River as “a sea of orange.” She highlighted the importance of allyship, acknowledging her own settler ancestry and the need to learn from Indigenous communities.

Jill Van Horne, attending with her young children, said the event reinforced lessons of respect for Indigenous traditions. “We are so fortunate to live on unceded lands and share them with the original owners,” she said, describing one dance as moving her to tears.

Cultural Pride Through Dance and Song

Ramona Milliea, originally from Treaty One lands in Manitoba and now residing in New Brunswick, participated in a jingle dress dance. With family members who endured residential and day schools, Milliea said public celebration of Indigenous culture brings profound pride.

“To be able to practice our culture, and to be able to hear our songs and to be able to do our dances out in public, really does make the heart — it fills your heart,” she said.

Building Awareness and Unity

Across both Fredericton and Moncton, the events underscored a message of cultural pride, resilience, and reconciliation. From youth to elders and allies, attendees embraced both reflection on historical injustices and celebration of living traditions, ensuring the next generation carries forward knowledge, pride, and respect for Indigenous heritage.

The post Honoring Culture on Truth and Reconciliation Day first appeared on Maple News Wire.

Toronto Honors Residential School Survivors

The Greater Toronto Area observed the fifth annual National Day of Truth and Reconciliation on Tuesday, marking the occasion with a series of ceremonies, flag raisings, and cultural gatherings. The day pays tribute to the lives lost in Canada’s residential school system while recognizing the resilience of survivors and Indigenous communities affected by generational trauma.

Government Buildings Lit Orange

Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Minister of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation Greg Rickford announced that government buildings across the province would be illuminated in orange, symbolizing solidarity and remembrance. In a joint statement, they noted, “These stories are difficult to hear, but essential to acknowledge, as we come together on the journey of reconciliation.”

Sunrise Ceremonies Highlight Indigenous Heritage

Early Tuesday, the Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre partnered with the City of Toronto to host a sunrise ceremony at Nathan Phillips Square. The Indigenous Legacy Gathering included a thanksgiving address by Elder Allan Jamieson, remarks from Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, and a drumming ceremony. Kevin Myran, a cultural instructor, described drumming as a symbol of resistance and resilience, emphasizing the preservation of Indigenous traditions despite colonial pressures.

Niigaan Sinclair, an Anishinaabe writer and professor at the University of Manitoba, highlighted the importance of reflecting on Canada’s complex history while recognizing progress made in reconciliation efforts. “The generation in front of us…is the most confident generation in history. They want change happening yesterday,” Sinclair said, urging Canadians to engage in dialogue and learn from one another.

Schools Engage Students in Orange Shirt Day Initiatives

Toronto’s school boards also marked the day with educational events. The Toronto Catholic District School Board launched its Orange HeART project, inviting students to create artwork inspired by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action. Elders and Indigenous community partners facilitated arts-based activities and interactive sessions with students.

At the Toronto District School Board, students gathered in East York for the raising of the “Every Child Matters” flag and a school-wide assembly featuring residential school survivor Karen Chaboyer. Métis eighth grader Kody Turner said wearing orange shirts fosters respect and understanding of Indigenous heritage.

Flag Policy Revisions Spark Change

Earlier, the Dufferin-Peel Catholic School Board had banned the Every Child Matters flag, prompting public backlash. In response, Ontario Education Minister Paul Calandra instructed the board to revise its policy, allowing the survivor flag to be raised at schools on Tuesday. The decision was welcomed as a meaningful step toward acknowledging Indigenous experiences.

Reflecting on the Path Forward

The National Day of Truth and Reconciliation continues to serve as a reminder of Canada’s ongoing journey toward justice and healing. Events across the GTA emphasized education, cultural preservation, and community engagement, highlighting both the challenges of the past and the hope for a more inclusive future.

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Community Walk Commemorates Indigenous Experiences

Regina residents gathered Tuesday for the fifth annual Honour Walk for Truth and Reconciliation, a moment to remember the experiences of Indigenous people sent to residential schools. Organized by the Circle Project, the walk emphasizes reflection, remembrance, and the importance of reconciliation within the community.

Ann Perry, executive director of the Circle Project, explained that the event is “recognizing the experience of Indigenous peoples in Canada and the history of Canada with Indigenous people, specifically around the residential schools.” She encouraged community participation, noting that the day is intended for quiet reflection and communal support.

Collaborative Efforts Highlight Reconciliation

This year’s Honour Walk was organized in collaboration with the Co-operators, reflecting a broader community effort to acknowledge the day’s significance. Perry highlighted that while the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is not a statutory holiday, the growing turnout signals increased public commitment to understanding Indigenous history and supporting reconciliation efforts locally.

Cultural and Educational Activities Across Regina

In addition to the Honour Walk, several other events took place in Regina. The McKenzie Art Gallery hosted Indian Theater: Native Performance, Art, and Self-Determination since 1969, offering hourly guided tours from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. CST. The Regina Public Library presented a noon session on media and reconciliation, featuring journalist Nelson Bird and cultural performances to encourage reflection and dialogue.

The mâmawêyatitân centre organized a full day of activities beginning with a pipe ceremony at 9 a.m. CST, while the City of Regina encouraged employees to participate in Orange Shirt Day by wearing orange and raised Every Child Matters and Treaty 4 flags at city hall and the Albert Street bridge through Sept. 30. City hall was also illuminated in orange to mark the occasion.

Wanuskewin Heritage Park Observes the Day

Just north of Saskatoon, Wanuskewin Heritage Park hosted a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Gathering. Activities began at 9 a.m. CST and included musical performances, cultural dances, hide-making, and a round dance at 3 p.m. Doug Hyndford, co-executive director of operations at Wanuskewin, emphasized the day’s importance for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people to listen, understand, and acknowledge the ongoing impacts of residential schools.

Events Extend Beyond Regina

Commemorative events were also held in Prince Albert. The Prince Albert Historical Museum welcomed visitors from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. CST with free admission, and the Prince Albert Grand Council hosted programming from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. CST at the PAGC Cultural Centre. Participants were encouraged to wear orange to honor Indigenous children and their communities.

A Moment for Reflection and Action

Across Saskatchewan, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation provided opportunities to reflect on the past while fostering community understanding. Organizers and participants alike emphasized that recognition of historical trauma is a first step toward reconciliation, urging all Canadians to listen, learn, and act in support of Indigenous peoples.

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