About 100 people gathered at Spirit Park in Whytewold on Tuesday evening to take part in Dunnottar’s annual Truth and Reconciliation ceremony.
The event, held Sept. 30 by Age Friendly Dunnottar, included a walk, a traditional pipe ceremony led by Knowledge Keeper Wayne Manningway and Raine Seivewright, both Pipe Carriers, and a performance by student drummers from Winnipeg Beach School.
Manningway also served as the event’s keynote speaker, sharing teachings and reflections on the ongoing journey toward reconciliation and the importance of community connection.
Age Friendly Dunnottar received support for this year’s event through a grant from the Orange Shirt Fund. Organizers noted they would have held the ceremony regardless, but the funding provided meaningful support for the gathering.
Catherine Mather, who has helped lead the ceremony in past years, said the gathering remains an important opportunity for the community to reflect on the legacy of residential schools and Canada’s continuing path toward reconciliation.
Following the ceremony, participants shared tea and bannock while socializing at the park. Among those in attendance were members of the Park family, who read the dedication plaque honouring Linda Park, for whom Spirit Park is named.
The Dunnottar ceremony was one of several held across the Interlake region to mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
