Renfrew honoured the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation by hearing hard truths and partaking in symbols of healing inside Ma-te-Way Park.
Residents, many dressed in orange shirts, gathered on Saturday, September 30th, for an educational demonstration of Indigenous singing, drumming, and dancing that would be mixed with serious discussion of the intergenerational effects that Canada’s residential school system has had on Indigenous Peoples.
Kevin Lamarr of Pikwakanagan First Nation would remind the crowd that the trauma caused by residential schools and the sixties scoop of Indigenous children into non-Indigenous households is more recent than some would believe.
Lamarr, a member of the Spirit Wolf Singers, would add that it is good that more people are becoming aware of the pain that continues to be felt today.
A group of local Indigenous dancers, including the trio of Sonny, Alexa, and Kayla Robbins, would demonstrate various dancer garb and routines, many of which symbolized different stories of healing.
They were joined by Randy Kakegamek of the North Spirit Lake First Nation, who would share with the crowd how the trauma caused by Canada’s residential school system affected both him and his family.
He stressed that sharing Indigenous stories has to be part of the process towards reconciliation.
The event would wrap up with the presenters and the audience joining in a social dance as a way to share a piece of Indigenous culture and knowledge.
(written by Kasey Egan)
