It was a sea of orange in Selkirk Park in support of the need for Truth and Reconciliation
Truth and Reconciliation Day took place on Sept. 30, and the Selkirk Friendship Centre, as well as the City of Selkirk, hosted a gathering in Selkirk Park. Truth and Reconciliation Day has become a day of acknowledgment in our community where we advocate for the need for reconciliation between settlers and Indigenous Canadians, and reflect on the work that still needs to be done with regard to the 94 calls to action that came out of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
In addition, it’s recognized on Orange Shirt Day, which is a day of reflection in which residents wear orange to acknowledge the harms done to the survivors of the residential school system and remember the children who did not make it back to their home communities.
The event started with a land acknowledgement, then the Selkirk Women’s Drum Group came up to share a song that welcomed our grandmothers and grandfathers to join in the day, followed by a healing song.
Selkirk’s Deputy Mayor Lorie Fiddler, who volunteers with the Selkirk Friendship Centre, came to the podium to explain to residents the history of the day.
“These events were designed to commemorate the residential school experience, to witness and honour the healing journey of the survivors and their families, and to commit to the ongoing process of reconciliation. Chief Justice Murray Sinclair challenged all of the participants to keep the reconciliation process alive as a result of the realization that every former student had similar stories. Orange Shirt Day is a legacy of this project,” she said.
Fiddler discussed how this is a day not just to acknowledge the past, but to bring understanding to the future.
“Canadians can tune into and create bridges with each other for reconciliation. It’s a day for survivors to be reaffirmed that they matter, and so do those who have been affected. Every Child Matters, even if they are an adult. The date was chosen because it’s this time of year in which children were taken from their homes to residential schools, and because it is an opportunity to set the stage for anti-racism and anti-bullying policies for the coming school year. It’s an opportunity for First Nations, local government, schools and communities to come together in the spirit of reconciliation and hope for generations of children to come,” she said.
After Fiddler spoke, local MP James Bezan discussed how we need this day of remembrance in order to never repeat past mistakes.
“I’ve often said that the worst government policy in the history of Canada was the residential school program, and it’s one that I’m glad that we finally shut down in 1996 but I think it’s a reminder to all of us that the state has no place in raising our kids. That is the family’s responsibility. That’s the way we pass on culture, traditions, and values,” he said.
Local MLA Richard Perchotte followed Bezan and discussed the future that we can create from this point forward as one people.
“We have a tremendous opportunity moving forward to educate people about the wrongs of the past, to learn from those, and make sure those don’t happen again. But, we have a bigger opportunity to move forward unified as one people. One people on this planet, moving forward protecting each other to make sure that nobody has any harm done,” he said.
Selkirk’s Mayor Larry Johannson then shared his thoughts after listening to the story of a residential school survivor that morning. He explained that being a parent and grandparent and learning about these children losing their names and identities, hit home.
Alfred Bucky Anderson, Minister of Culture and Heritage of the Manitoba Métis Federation, said a few words connecting the past to the future.
“Reconciliation is about more than just one day on the calendar. It’s about carrying this forward and making sure it guides the way we live together with respect and understanding. As Red River Métis, we know the importance of remembering where we come from,” said Anderson.
Leslie Loutit, Vice President of Selkirk Friendship Centre Board of Directors, came next, saying, “Reconciliation is not only a word but an ongoing responsibility.”
Local Knowledge Keeper Jeannie White Bird next took the time to explain the importance and history of the tobacco tie and tied it back to her journey of healing and the greater journey of healing in our community.
Residents were invited to give an offering of tobacco to the sacred fire at the event.
She was followed by Wayne Manningway, who shared a bit about his story as the child of a residential school survivor. He explained that his mother’s trauma from residential schools came with her into her relationships as an adult.
“She said, ‘My boy. When I was a young girl growing up, I didn’t know what love was. As I grew up to be a mother, I still didn’t know what love was.’ She said, ‘You know what? I thought love was being beaten like residential schools,’,” he said.
Manningway also shared that his grandmother shared their culture in secret with her grandchildren and that, though it was dangerous, he’s blessed to carry those ceremonies.
He then explained the need for healing for Indigenous people and how that healing starts with loving yourself and others.
“That’s the greatest gift you can ever tell your child, that you love them,” he said.
A moment of silence followed Manningway’s words.
Tehya Blackburne Moore and Aubrey Ducharme-Mckay then came to share their jingle dress and fancy shawl dancing before leading the group in a round dance.
The ceremony ended with the Selkirk Women’s Drum Group closing the event with song.
