A Voice from the Eastern Door
A Voice from the Eastern Door
Distributing traditional meals to Kawehno:ke residents, Kana:takon District Chief Tim Thompson, Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller and Kawehno:ke District Chief Edward Roundpoint take a moment for a photo at the A'nowara'ko:wa Arena.
A beaded bolo tie was presented to Marc Miller by Vanessa Adams on behalf of her parents – Richard and Jane David.
St. Regis Mission held a NDTR ceremony on September 30. Grand Chief Benedict stated, "Niawen:kowa to all those who took a moment to participate, reflect and educate themselves on the Residential School era and its impact on all indigenous communities."
Seven Dancers staff Karatoten Lazore and Harvey Herne officiating a tobacco burning on the grounds of the St. Regis Mission.
Marc Miller, Indigenous Service Minister handing out traditional meals to community members.
Chief Tim Thompson assisting with a flag raising in Morrisburg.
Big Russ' gave out free meals to children on Sept 30 and biggest kid of all Clayton, said – Thanks!
The Akwesasne Community Justice Department hosted a community-wide smudge on September 30th.
Bank of Montreal observed NDTR on Sept 30.
In Canada's first ever National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, community members and dignitaries gathered at ceremonies and memorials to honor, acknowledge and to begin healing from the country's darkest history. Community members far and wide wore orange t-shirts, houses were lit in orange lights, meals were shared, donations were made and hugs – however adapted to COVID – were in abundance.
From Akwesasne to Brockville, to Morrisburg and Cornwall, flags were raised, prayers were recited, and participants were cleansed with tobacco burnings and smudging – all to acknowledge and honor residential school survivors, Sixties Scoop survivors, Indian Day School survivors and their families.
The day revealed the resilience of Indigenous children who were stolen from their families, forced to abandon their traditions, language, and their homes. It was also a day to remember the thousands of children who never made it home, the children who died at the hands of their captors – alone. To date, up to 6000 Indigenous children lie in marked and unmarked graves on former residential school grounds.
On Sept 30, for Orange Shirt Day, Mohawk Council of Akwesasne gave out traditional meals at the Tsi Snaihne and Kana:takon district recreations, and A'nowara'ko:wa Arena. Dedicated and hardworking recreation committees made over three-hundred meals at each center and MCA Council hand delivered meals to community residents while in the safety of their vehicle.
The St. Regis Mission held "Healing and Reconciliation at St. Regis Mission Church" which started with the Thanksgiving Prayer by Seven Dancers Coalition and a welcoming by Fr. Jerome Pastores.
Grand Chief Abram Benedict presented an overview of impacts of residential schools and RoseAlma McDonald read the Canadian Council of Catholic Bishops formal apology. The ceremony closed with Roy Burns and Dane Garrow offering a healing prayer and drum song.
Prayers and unity were also offered by the Church of Christ and the Methodist Church Bishop Noel Simard and Bishop Terry LaValley and organizers Bernice Lazore and Keena King.
In Cornwall, at 2:00pm, CBSA held a moment of silence, while at the Cornwall Harbor, Akwesasronon and Cornwall community members gathered to offer prayers and smudges to begin healing.
In Morrisburg, members of MCA Council - Chief Vanessa Adams, Chief Julie Phillips-Jacobs and Chief Tim Thompson were invited to participate in a flag raising ceremony.
Indigenous Service Minister Marc Miller stopped in Ottawa to observe National Day of Truth and Reconciliation ceremonies before attending NDTR ceremonies in Akwesasne. Miller visited all three districts helping to deliver meals to community members. He later visited with residential school survivors and Sixties Scoop Survivors.
Additional photos are available online at: indiantime.net
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