A large crowd gathered in Owen Sound Monday morning for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
The Binoojiinyag dadibaajimowag, or ‘Voices of the Children,’ ceremony at the Gichi-Name Wiikwedong Reconciliation Garden began with a sacred fire.
A local drumming group opened the ceremony and was followed by a prayer and speakers.
One speaker talked about the impact of residential schools as well as her healing journey since learning of the unmarked graves discovered in Kamloops, B.C. in 2021.
Local dignitaries were also present including MP for Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound Alex Ruff and Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation Chief Greg Nadjiwon, who thanked people for showing their support.
“The number of people here today continuously grows from year to year,” says Nadjiwon.
He says for him, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a start.
“I think the finish line is way in the future, but I mean the more events like this happen, the more the word gets out, the more we can ask people if they are familiar with the history of the territory. It began in the treaty making process in 1836 and it continues on to 2024 to address the injustices that we faced as a nation and continue to face,” says Nadjiwon.
Nadjiwon encouraged people to be the change they would like to see.
“It does no good to stand back just commenting around a dinner table, it has to be more open,” says Nadjiwon.
