Truth and Reconciliation:
A Day, or Week, Its Not Enough But Its a Start
by Ronnie Kayla Neiman
(Image Credit: Brandon Urban Aboriginal Peoples' Council Facebook Page)
From September 27th until October 1st had a number of events at Brandon University and the Riverbank Discovery Centre related to the Truth and Reconciliation towards Indigenous peoples.In the early morning hours of Monday, September 27, Knowledge Keeper Frank Tacan marked the beginning of Truth and Reconciliation Week with a sunrise ceremony, offering gratitude and prayers of blessing for the land and the events that have taken place there over the course of the week. Tim Bone lit the ceremonial fire and Firekeepers tended to the fire throughout the week until October 1st. Shortly after the sunrise ceremony at 9 a.m., Mayor Rick Chrest officiated over the raising of an orange flag on the guest pole at city hall. The flag was held up until Monday, October 4, when the annual Sisters in Spirit vigil and walk will take place. September 30th was also the first National Day of Truth and Reconciliation recognized by the Federal government. Prior to that, the 30th of September was known as Orange Shirt Day to honour those affected by Residential Schools. On the 30th of September all flags were lowered to half-mast as a symbol of mourning for the thousands of children whose lives were stolen by Canada’s residential school system, their families, and to honour survivors.
BUAPC and the organizing committee for Truth and Reconciliation Week (The organizing committee, along with BUAPC, is made up of the Brandon Friendship Centre, Assiniboine Community College, Brandon University and the Manitoba Métis Federation Southwestern Region) expressed their gratitude to all the sponsors who have committed to ensuring that the week had been a meaningful experience for all, which included Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in and around Brandon: City of Brandon, Westoba Credit Union, Compass Credit Union, Sunrise Credit Union, and Natural Elements Wellness Centre. The organizing committee also gratefully acknowledged the Riverbank Discovery Centre (Brandon Riverbank Inc.) for hosting Truth and Reconciliation Week at its site on the Assiniboine River.
The week had been educational and helped to provide some healing to those affected by these recent parts of our history. It is being acknowledged and that is a very important step. However, a single day that allows banks and schools to close seem to go against the entire idea of educating people about these atrocities that have happened. To have a time set aside to honour them is good, but so is educating those who don’t know or don’t understand what the idea behind Truth and Reconciliation really means. Extending the education to a full week also helps, but it will take far longer for healing, if the wounds can even be healed a small amount.
It is important to lean and educate yourself about what the day means to Indigenous people. It will take more than a day but it is a start.