National Day of Truth and Reconciliation events planned by Peace region First Nation communities

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Peace region First Nations communities have announced plans for the annual Day of Truth and Reconciliation.

Also known as “Orange Shirt Day,” the last day of September honours the victims and survivors of Canada’s residential school system and engages in meaningful discussions surrounding its legacy.

The Treaty 8 Tribal Association has announced festivities scheduled for Saturday, September 28th, at Taylor Hall, located at 9896 Cherry Avenue West in the District of Taylor.

Starting at 5 p.m., a pipe ceremony, seen in the Indigenous community as a spiritual way to communicate with the dead, will occur, followed by a feast and a Tea and Round Dance.

On September 30th, Fort Nelson First Nation (FNFN) is planning day-long festivities to mark the occasion at its health and wellness arbour, located at 5001 Dene Etene Road in Fort Nelson.

An opening prayer will be read starting at 11:00 a.m., followed by remarks from the Chief and Council. Attendees will then listen to the story of Theresa Sutherland. 

Sutherland is a member of Nee Kee Wa Nan Initative’s healing team.  A member of Fort Albany First Nation, Sutherland has gone around Canada, sharing her experience growing up in the residential school system. 

A walk, lunch, and activities will conclude with a closing prayer at 7:00 p.m. 

Meanwhile, in Chetwynd, Saulteau First Nations (SFN) has announced an evening walk beginning at 5:00 p.m. at Crowfeathers, located on the shores of Moberly Lake.

A walk to the pump house turn-off near Boucher Lake will occur.  Upon returning to SFN’s cultural centre, a feast will be held following a dance to “honour the those who didn’t make it home, and for the survivors.”

For organizer Tylene Paquette, Truth and Reconciliation hits close to home.  Her grandmother was a survivor of a residential school in Alberta.

She says growing up, she experienced racism and questions surrounding her culture.

“Our elders are now starting to feel more comfortable sharing with us,” said Paquette. “At one point, they were only sharing certain things.  Real personal experiences within the school system, they are only now starting to open up.”

“Why did they lose their language? Their culture? So it’s also a lot of forgiveness at the same time.”

Paquette has worked within Saulteau for “many years.” Having begun in the First Nation’s daycare, she currently works as SFN’s Cultural Connections Coordinator.

As the head of the First Nation’s dance group, she felt it was an appropriate gesture to honour the day.

She sees the day as something to open dialogue between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities.

“It has opened a lot of doors to talk,” said Paquette.  “I think a lot of people are starting to feel more connected to our communities that are starting to feel more welcomed into the communities, because of the truth.”

“Talking about it today involves everybody.  Every child matters.  We all have that connection.  We all think about what if it was your child that went through this.  How would you feel?”

These events on September 28th and September 30th are open to the public.  

Visit FNFN, SFN, or Treaty 8’s respective Facebook pages for further information.