Oneida First Nation elder and a member of the Turtle Clan, Patsy Anne Day, says National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a time to talk about shared history.
Day will be at the Falstaff Family Centre on Wednesday, a venue for the day’s events in Stratford and area, helping to teach and raise awareness. The Indigenous educator hopes everyone can make it out.
“Just (to) let people know that the Indigenous people and non (Indigenous people) in this community, Huron-Perth, can learn and can participate with any of the activities that we have going on.”
Events start with a sunrise ceremony at 7:30 a.m.
Also included is the Legacy of Hope Foundation exhibition called, ‘Forgotten’ The Métis Residential School Experience.
The centre is also hosting an exhibit it says will display more than 10,000 years of archaeological evidence that indicates long-term Indigenous settlement along Stratford’s Avon River.
Held each Sept. 30 since 2021, commemorating National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is an opportunity to honour survivors and deepen understanding of the history and impact of residential schools, according to a government website. The site says survivors across Canada have long told stories of the abuse and deaths that took place at the institutions.
“This is our shared history,” Day said. “Each generation needs to recall how we came to this point…work together. With love.”
Day says every hardship has a silver lining.
“This country is now united in its respect and honouring of those children and the fact that our Indigenous population has endured so much since colonialism.”
Day said there are more local educational opportunities about the shared history of Canada planned for the future.
