To honour the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day, municipalities across northwestern Ontario are holding healing ceremonies, unity walks, and gatherings to raise awareness and learn about the history of the residential school system and its impacts on Indigenous communities.
Kenora
On Saturday, join Grand Council Treaty 3 under the Whitecap Pavilion for a Truth and Reconciliation Gathering & Pow Wow.
Beginning with the Orange Shirt Walk at CJ Grounds (237 Airport Road). The opening ceremony by Ogichidaa will begin at 9 a.m.
Those in attendance will walk to the cemetery near the Treaty Three Police Station.
Following the Orange Shirt Walk, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. the Pow Wow at the Whitecap Pavilion will start with welcoming remarks, intertribal, and a giveaway by the GCT#2 health department.
From 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., there is a Fish Fry supper and a performance by Gator Beaulieu.
Dryden
On Friday, the Rotary Club of Dryden is hosting an Orange Shirt Day Walk for Truth and Reconciliation from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The walk will begin at the Native Friendship Centre (74 Queen St.) to Cooper Park where there will be a land acknowledgment, pipe ceremony and opening Song, speeches, and traditional drumming.
On Saturday, the Sunset Drive-in Theatre will be offering a free screening of Bones of Crows in honour of Truth and Reconciliation.
Bones of Crows is a short film by Métis/Dene filmmaker Marie Clements. The film is a multi-generational epic story of resilience. Bones of Crows weaves together underrepresented moments in Canadian and Indigenous history as it tells the story of Aline Spears, a residential school survivor, as she struggles with her traumatic past and continues against systemic starvation, racism and sexual abuse.
Gates open at 6:30 p.m. The show starts at 7:30 p.m.
Fort Frances
The municipality of Fort Frances and Native Friendship Centre will be holding an Every Child Matters Awareness Walk on Friday from 10 a.m. -3 p.m.
The walk will begin at the Sorting Gap Marina and end at the residential school monument at the Nanicost Grounds.
Following opening remarks, a fish fry lunch will be provided along with optional dishes for children. The event will also have mental health support onsite, agency booths, and displays to learn about Truth and Reconciliation.
In the evening, the Fort Frances Lakers will be hosting an Orange Shirt Day opener at the Ice for Kids Arena at 7 p.m.
The Lakers have partnered with Weechi'ittewin Family Services to offer Free orange shirts to the first 150 patrons and $5 entry to those wearing Orange shirts.
On Sept. 30 from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. closing a ceremony to cap off Truth and Reconciliation Week, there will be Sunrise Ceremony Commemoration and Breakfast held at the residential school monument at the Nanicost Grounds.
Sioux Lookout
On Friday, there will be a Municipal Flag Raising Ceremony at the Travel Information Centre at 10 a.m.
Closing Ceremony with Sacred Fire at Onaman Ziibi from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Traditional Feast at Centennial Park from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Grab n’ Go Community Lunch at the Nishawbe-Gamik Friendship Centre at noon.
