Members of the Katzie First Nation Drum and Dance Group performed at the 2023 Truth and Reconciliation Day event in Memorial Peace Park on Sept. 30. (Brandon Tucker/The News)
Communities are gathering across Canada today to recognize the third annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Students carry a ceremonial cloth with the names of children who died in residential schools and were identified in the National Student Memorial Register, during Gidinawendimin – We Are All Related, an event for youth featuring Residential School Survivors, Knowledge Keepers, and Indigenous music and culture, part of Truth and Reconciliation Week, in Ottawa, on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
School District 22 Principal of Indigenous Learning, Dave Lafontaine with Cheryl Newton, an Indigenous lead teacher at the SD22 office, where prominent Orange Shirt designs are on display. (Bowen Assman- Morning Star Photo)
Approximately 900 Vernon School District staff took part in Indigenous Focused Non-Instructional Day Sept. 25, 2023 at Vernon Secondary. (Erica Schmidt - SD22 photo)
The Splatsin Community Centre near Enderby hosted a Truth and Reconciliaton Day event Thursday, Sept. 28, that brought the three schools in Enderby together for the first time on the same program. (Roger Knox - Morning Star)
Isabella Kulak, 13, from Kamsack, Sask. (second from right) is flanked by her parents, Chris and Lana, as she readies to make a presentation on National Ribbon Skirt Day, a day she founded. Kulak was the special guest at a Truth and Reconciliation Day event in Enderby, at the Splatsin Community Centre, Thursday, Sept. 28. (Roger Knox -Morning Star)
Cyclists head out on the Capital Bike Truth and Reconciliation Day Ride on Sept. 30 that winds through the city ending at the South Island Powwow. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
Diane Sam of the Songhees Nation issues gifts to cyclists ahead of the Capital Bike Truth and Reconciliation Day Ride on Sept. 30. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)(Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
(Logan Lockhart- Western News)
(Logan Lockhart- Western News)
The Walk for Reconciliation on Saturday, Sept. 30. (Logan Lockhart- Western News)
Dave Ward of Cree Nation was one of several speakers at the 2023 Truth and Reconciliation Day event in Memorial Peace Park on Sept. 30. (Brandon Tucker/The News)
Ed Hall of Kwikwetlem First Nation was one of several speakers at the 2023 Truth and Reconciliation Day event in Memorial Peace Park on Sept. 30. (Brandon Tucker/The News)
Members of the Katzie First Nation Drum and Dance Group performed at the 2023 Truth and Reconciliation Day event in Memorial Peace Park on Sept. 30. (Brandon Tucker/The News)
Members of the Katzie First Nation Drum and Dance Group performed at the 2023 Truth and Reconciliation Day event in Memorial Peace Park on Sept. 30. (Brandon Tucker/The News)
Kwakwakaʼwakw drummers led a procession through downtown Campbell River. Photo by Marc Kitteringham/Campbell River Mirror
Artist Shawn Decaire made 60 bent wood boxes for survivors of residential and day schools. Photo by Marc Kitteringham/Campbell River Mirror
Eagle down was spread to bless Spirit Square for the event. Photo by Marc Kitteringham/Campbell River Mirror
A banner made of orange shirts and flags hung in Spirit Square, downtown Campbell River. Photo by Marc Kitteringham/Campbell River Mirror
Residential school survivors were honoured during the ceremony. Photo by Marc Kitteringham/Campbell River Mirror
A group of Kwakwakaʼwakw women dance at this year’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation event in Campbell River. Photo by Marc Kitteringham/Campbell River MirrorCommunities gathered across Canada Saturday (Sept. 30) to recognize the third annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
The federal holiday recognizes the legacy of Canada’s residential school system and its harms to Indigenous Peoples.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says today should be about listening to survivors.
In B.C., events were held across the province with a bike ride through the Capital region, a walk in Penticton, speeches and performances in Maple Ridge, a procession through Campbell River and a ceremony in Kelowna.
@kelownacapnews
Truth and Reconciliation Day ceremony with Westbank Forst Nations, Kelowna and West Kelowna RCMP. Elder Gary Swite how the community’s relationship with the RCMP has changed over the course of his life. More at kelownacapnews.com
♬ original sound – Kelowna Capital News
In Ottawa, residential school survivors and Indigenous leaders attended a commemorative event on Parliament Hill beginning at noon.
Gov.-Gen. Mary Simon, who was expected to attend, says the day is one for reflection but also for action.
READ MORE: Nisga’a celebrate return of ancestral totem pole to their territory
There are also events taking place across the country, including powwows in Victoria, Winnipeg and Toronto.
The Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg is offering free admission today, as is the Canadian Museum of History in Ottawa.
In Montreal, a rally and march starts at 1 p.m. featuring speakers and drummers.
The Canadian Press
READ MORE: Stolen totem pole returns to Nisga’a after nearly a century in Scotland
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