On Monday morning, thousands of students from schools across Winnipeg gathered at The Forks to commemorate the start of Truth and Reconciliation Week. The event, organized by the Winnipeg School Division, aimed to educate and raise awareness about the history and impact of residential schools on Indigenous communities.
The students, ranging from elementary to high school, were joined by Indigenous elders, residential school survivors, and community leaders. The ceremony began with a traditional smudging ceremony, followed by speeches and performances from Indigenous artists.
One of the speakers, residential school survivor and elder, Mary Courchene, shared her personal experience and the lasting effects of residential schools on her and her family. She emphasized the importance of acknowledging and learning from the past in order to move forward towards reconciliation.
The event also featured a performance by the Winnipeg Boys’ Choir, who sang a rendition of “We Are All Treaty People” in both English and Ojibwe. The choir’s director, Carolyn Boyes, explained that the song was chosen to highlight the importance of treaties and the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.
In addition to the ceremony, students were also able to participate in various educational activities, such as creating orange ribbon pins to symbolize the Every Child Matters movement and learning about the significance of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action.
The event was a powerful and emotional experience for many students, who expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to learn and reflect on the history of residential schools and its impact on Indigenous communities.
According to the Winnipeg School Division, the event was a way to honor the survivors and their families, and to continue the journey towards reconciliation. The division also stated that they are committed to incorporating Indigenous perspectives and teachings into their curriculum and creating a safe and inclusive learning environment for all students.
As Truth and Reconciliation Week continues, events like this serve as a reminder of the importance of acknowledging and learning from the past, and working towards a better future for all Canadians.
