Ceremonies across New Brunswick honour National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
CBC
It is the first year New Brunswick recognized the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as a provincial holiday.
People gathered across the province today to honour the day and remember residential school survivors and those who didn't make it home.
A day of remembrance ceremony was held at Sitansisk First Nation. Chief Allan Polchies said when he saw the sea of orange shirts, it showed him people are becoming more aware of what has happened to Indigenous people in Canada.
"They want to continue to be a voice where that voice is needed," he said.
The event included lighting of the fire, an opening prayer, a presentation of words, songs, a continental breakfast and a take-home craft kit.
Fredericton Mayor Kate Rogers attended the day of remembrance and said it's an opportunity to remember and reflect but also a day to learn how to do better.
"As I came upon the old reserve grounds and looking out onto the Wolastoq and seeing so many orange shirts and seeing so many people from the community, I just thought, 'this is right. This is where we're meant to be today,'" said Rogers.
"It's been a powerful morning."
A prayer and smudging ceremony took place at the City Hall Plaza in Moncton today. The ceremony, led by Elder Gary Augustine, brought attendees of all ages.
Annie Clair from Elsipogtog First Nation and her granddaughter Hailey attended the ceremony.
"Today is a very special day, not only for me and my granddaughter, but everybody in the world," said Clair.
Clair said people should go to Indigenous communities and learn about the people, culture and language.
Shania Dedam of Elsipogtog First Nation said she was happy to see the turnout for the ceremony.
Before the smudging ceremony, she addressed the crowd to explain what smudging is. She said it's a purifying and cleansing ceremony that cleanses the mind of negative thoughts. It involves placing four sacred medicines — tobacco, sweet grass, sage and cedar — in a smudge bowl which is traditionally a shell.
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