For many years, National Day of Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day in qathet was marked by a walk from Tis'kwat to ah joo miexw (Willingdon Beach). This year, the event will begin with a flag-raising ceremony at Powell River City Hall on Monday, September 30, at 10 am.
Organizer Cyndi Pallen, who is also a counsellor with qathetSafe, said in a statement that the gathering at city hall is an historic moment. For the first time, Tla'amin Nation hegus John Hackett will join Powell River mayor Ron Woznow at 6910 Duncan Street for a ceremony to honour truth and reconciliation commitments between governments and First Nations.
Pallen will speak about National Truth and Reconciliation Day and 94 calls to action, followed by Tla'amin singers and drummers Drew Blaney, Ryan Pielle and others. Pallen will close the ceremony at city hall, leading all drummers and singers together in song.
Afterward, Pallen is inviting the public to join a walk to the beach and to wear orange to honour the children who survived residential schools and remember those who did not. A majority of Tla'amin elders lived through residential schools that were federally operated in Canada between 1867 and 1996.
National Day of Truth and Reconciliation schedule:
10 am – Mayor and hegus
10:30 am – Cyndi Pallen on Truth and Reconciliation
10:45 am – Drummers and singers – Drew Blaney
11 am – Drummers and singers – Ryan Pielle
11:20 am – Drummer and singers – Cyndi Pallen plus all drummers and singers, followed by a walk to Willingdon Beach
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