Morden marked National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Monday with a flag raising ceremony and healing walk.
The ceremony was led by Courtney Yeo Thiessen, who noted the passing of Doreen Cameron “who was instrumental in helping us organize the very first September 30 event here in Morden in 2021.
“Her voice and strength is missed, not only in this community but her home Swan Lake as well,” she said.
Yeo Thiessen noted it was “a day to recognize and reflect on the tragic history and ongoing legacy of residential schools, honour survivors and remember the children who never returned home.”
She also reflected on the meaning of the day and how there is still much more to be done.
“How many of us understand what the reconciliation half of today really means?” Yeo-Thiessen asked, noting the word reconciliation implies there had been a good relationship to begin with; what is needed first is actually conciliation before reconciliation can truly begin, she said.
“For meaningful reconciliations to take shape, there needs to be an honest attempt to restore to Indigenous people what was taken at the time of colonization.
“For many, it is the action piece that is missing,” she concluded.
Andrei Mardli offered the land acknowledgment and speaker Marge Daniels introduced herself as the kookum (Cree for grandmother) for Western School Division. The Swan Lake resident was hired by the division last November.
“I’m very happy to be in this position,” said Daniels. “I’m very thankful for Western School Division for hiring me. I will hopefully be here for a few years … I do work with all four of the schools in Western School Division.
“I go to the classrooms and I teach the children as much of my culture as I can,” she shared. “I hope I can teach … some of the stuff that went on with residential schools.”
Morden Mayor Nancy Penner also spoke on this being a day to reflect on the historic and ongoing impact on Indigenous communities and to help dismantle the barriers of ignorance and intolerance.
“This day calls us to listen, to learn and engage in meaningful conversations about the painful truths of the past,” said Penner. “We acknowledge these painful truths as we also commit to building a future that embraces understanding, healing and unity.
“Reconciliation requires us to play an active role from educating ourselves to fostering relationships rooted in respect and empathy.”
Photos by Lorne Stelmach/Voice
