Local events are planned this week for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Audrey Harder says the Pat Porter Active Living Centre will be closed on Friday, so they are hosting a special event on Tuesday, September 27th and it is open for everyone to attend.
“Jennifer Wood is coming out from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and she's planned an afternoon for everyone,” Harder says. “The afternoon is completely free.”
The event includes a ceremony and cultural teachings, drumming and dancing. Harder says there will also be orange shirts available for purchase.
The Mennonite Heritage Village will host Josh Dueck as a special speaker this Thursday evening as part of the ‘All My Relations’ series.
“Josh is from SBC, but he has indigenous Cree background himself and has a really cool perspective and is very informative,” says Gary Dyck. “I've heard him talk once before and highly recommend it.”
Josh Dueck will offer a perspective that will give a better understanding of how historic wrongs have created present barriers for Indigenous people.
MHV will be open to the public on Friday.
“We’re actually going to be offering free admission and providing self-guided reflective tours on the grounds,” Dyck says. “And I think it'll be a good place for people to come and just learn more and even take time to reflect and pray.”
The Niverville Truth and Reconciliation Ceremony will take place on Friday morning at 10:30am at Niverville Community Fellowship. It will also be livestreamed.
This event will feature authentic speakers on Indigenous issues such as:
*Peter YellowQuill, a 5th generation descendant of Chief YellowQuill, a signatory to Treaty no. 1, a relative of Chief Sitting Bull, and a residential school survivor.
*Glen and Verla Cochrane from the Peguis First Nation who carry the legacy of Chief Peguis, a diplomat, reconciler and peacemaker. They will tell the story of the Trail of Tears from a relocation that happened in 1907.
*Howard Jolly is a First Nation's resident of Niverville, and is involved with the ministry of Rising Above which is based in that community, and is addressing the residential school issues head on.