‘Gichi-apiitendaagoziwag akina abinoonjiyag’ is Anishinaabemowin for Every Child Matters
The day began at sunrise with the building of a sacred fire, and continued with a walk of remembrance from N’Swakamok Friendship Centre to the Bell Park Amphitheatre, where hundreds of school children and those who wish to honour the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation came together.
He told the audience that there is the need to be humble, to practice humility, and see that “we are all human beings.” Trudy Jones, drummer and singer, joined Angela Recollet of Shkagamik-Kwe on stage and sang a song of thanks, giving gratitude to the hundreds that had come to the Grace Hartman Amphitheatre. The performance was powerful and overwhelming for many in the audience. Playwright and artist Sarah Gartshore, who took to the stage to introduce her play, ‘Debwewin’ , said that Jones’ performance was so powerful that “she left all her medicines on stage” for the audience.
Later today, you can see more performances at the amphitheatre, including dancing, drumming and singing, and the Sudbury Indie Cinema will host two screenings of Cinéfest Sudbury selection Stories of Decolonization: Colonial Relations in honour of The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Each GSPS member participating in the Relay for Reconciliation completed a 1-hour course entitled “Reflection on Truth and Reconciliation”, where they learned about the calls to action brought forward by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.
At a ceremony to acknowledge the day and the achievements, there was an opening prayer and thank you from Julie Ozawagosh, a second generation survivor of St. Joseph’s School for Girls in Spanish.