Windsor's first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation commemorates that every child matters
Every Child Matters Healing Walk held on the riverfront, with events all day
Windsor and thesurrounding regionmarked the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with bright displays of orangeand messages of hope and healing.
Along the city's waterfront, dozens of people gathered for theEvery Child Matters Healing Walk, starting at 11 a.m, hosted by several organizations. People came together atBert Weeks Memorial Gardens to commemorate the day and share their messages of remembrance for children of the residential school system "who never made it home."
Speakers includedMona Stonefish, aMohawkelder and survivor of theresidential schoolsystem, who shared some of her story with the crowd.
The new federal statutory holiday on Sept. 30 was established to acknowledgethe children who died in Canada's residential schools, the legacy of harm caused and to honour survivors ofthat system.
The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation was one of the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The datecoincides with Orange Shirt Day.
After opening ceremonies atWindsor's waterfront, those who gathered set off at 1 p.m. for the Every Child Matters HealingWalk to Assumption Park.
In the evening, closing prayers will take place.
The City of Windsor, surrounding municipalities, organizations and individuals are also marking the day.
Windsor City Hall islit up in orange this weekin honour of the firstNational Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
The mayor and members of council also attended a raising of the "Every Child Matters" flag atCharles Clark Square at 8:30 a.m.
The Windsor-Essex Children's Aid Society is lowering its flag and participating in activities to mark the occasion.
The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is not a school holiday, but schools are planning activities and learning to mark the day.
In the public school board, the events planned include students at David Maxwell Public Schoolattaching posters, flags and orange ribbons to the school fence.
In the Catholic board, the activities includevisual projects, fundraising and attending virtual events hosted by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation.
Students at Holy Names High School painted 6,000 orange hearts to mark the childrenfound in unmarked graves on the former sites ofresidential schools across Canada, documented by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
In Wallaceburg and Chatham,Ska:na Family Learning Centre took today tocelebrate the newlocations. Arts and craft vendors, information booths and a drum performance all marked the soon-to-be openingof the non-profit childcare centres which offerprograms for children 3 months to 12-years-old.
A new statutory holiday
Sept. 30isa statutory holiday for federal government services, as well as withinfederally regulated industries such as banking.
The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is not a designated public holiday in Ontario, but Ontario public sector workers have the day off.
Other organizations and businesses may also opt to closefor the day or remainopen.
In Windsor, for example, Devonshire Mall and Tecumseh Mall are open and Transit Windsor is running on a weekday schedule.
Support is available for anyone affected by their experience at residential schools and those who are triggered by these reports.
A national Indian Residential School Crisis Line has been set up to provide support for residential school survivors and others affected. People can access emotional and crisis referral services by calling the 24-hour national crisis line: 1-866-925-4419.
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