Today many are gathering in their communities as an act of reconciliation to recognize the harms of the past done to Indigenous people through residential schools, the sixties scoop and presently the many murdered and missing indigenous women, to hear the truth of survivors and to move forward in a path of reconciliation.
Today (September 30th) is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Morden's Christina Cearns is a sexual abuse survivor.
"Truth and Reconciliation Day is very powerful for me. It's a standing point in our time of history where we get to tell our truth, where we get to tell them our stories. We were literally, essentially erased, what we were allowed to do. In order to colonize to what the Caucasian aspect, the settlers thought we needed."
She explained why it's important to set the day aside and for all Canadians to reflect.
"We have history, we have practices, we have so much to offer to everyone that I think it's important to understand every dynamic, every diversity of what's going on. We're finally able to have that opportunity to be able to say, 'Hey, we're people too.' And our personality, our history, our heritage, everything is important and it's now coming to light."
With more teaching and awareness taking place than ever before, Cearns makes sure she is passing her culture on to the next generation.
"I have exposed my children more to the Indigenous teachings, to the Indigenous ways of life. Understanding plants and the herbal remedies, and giving them guidance on what our principles are as an Indigenous culture and being willing to listen to those that either a) experienced residential schools or b) from the outside view. It just blows my mind how many people didn't realize residential schools were actually real."
She has a message to Indigenous people on this day.
"You have a voice. It is your time to share your stories. It is your time to express your hurt, your sorrows, as well as share some of the happiness that may have stemmed from these hardships, because you are important, you are special, and everyone deserves to be heard."
Her message to nonindigenous people is patience, quietness and understanding. She encourages people to be willing to ask questions and to take in the truths, no matter how hard or how insignificant they may be to them. They are impactful, meaningful and purposeful to the storyteller.
Hear Cearns' story of abuse and what TRC Day means to her in the video below:
In response to Canada's Online News Act and Meta (Facebook and Instagram) removing access to local news from their platforms, PembinaValleyOnline encourages you to get your news directly from your trusted source by bookmarking this page and downloading the PembinaValleyOnline app.
Warning: the below video contains content which may not be suitable for younger viewers.