NIPIGON – Monday is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Red Rock Indian Band is bringing it to the Nipigon Bridge.
The itinerary is the same as last year: After meeting at the Nipigon Lookout at 10 a.m., celebrants will walk to the Chalet Lodge in Lake Helen at 10:30. Lunch and a mini-powwow are to follow.
A westbound lane will be closed for the walk, Red Rock Chief Allan Odawa told Newswatch.
Students from both Nipigon schools have been invited, he said.
"Truth and Reconciliation Day is a reminder of the enduring impact of colonialism on First Nations communities,” Odawa said.
“It calls us to confront the painful truths of our shared history, recognizing the injustices and traumas experienced by Indigenous Peoples.
“This day serves not only as a memorial for those who suffered but also as an opportunity for all Canadians to listen deeply to the voices of First Nations, to honour their stories, and to acknowledge the resilience that has emerged from such adversity.”
Odawa said he hopes everyone will “reflect on our roles in fostering understanding and respect.”
“Together,” he said, “we can create a society that honors the past while embracing a more equitable and just future for all.”
The walk and powwow are among many events across Northwestern Ontario to mark Truth and Reconciliation Day, which is also Orange Shirt Day.
In Kenora, for example, Indigenous organizations have put together a program starting at 10 a.m. with a ceremony at Cecilia Jeffrey Memorial Park, and including a free barbecue lunch and drum social at the city’s Harbourfront Pavilion.
Kenora city offices will be closed Monday in recognition of the day.