I value this day being a National Holiday for a number of reasons. I think there is so much to learn and although emotional for so many, I think it is important to have the leaders in the country show respect and recognition and to allow for opportunities to listen and learn.
Do you know why September 30th was chosen for the National Day For Truth and Reconciliation? It was chosen because this was around the time of year that children were removed from their homes to attend Residential Schools. As many of us have done each fall, we prepare our kids for the excitement of returning to school, to see their friends, meet new teachers, learn and grow. Can you imagine the sadness of sending your child off or have them taken from you knowing they were alone, scared and perhaps never see them again? Can you imagine never knowing what happened to your child?
We must take pause on this day. To listen, to learn and to become allies to our Indigenous People’s. Here is the link to a moving poem “Monster”, read by residential school survivor, Dennis Saddleman.

This year, due to a torn meniscus, I stayed home to watch the ceremonies. What a treat to be front row to so many initiatives taken. First was the Right Honourable Governor General, Mary Simon. I think it is truly amazing to have such an important figure speak to children on this day from her unique perspective being Inuk, a member of the Inuit people. She shared her story of growing up in the Arctic and living off the land. She told them it was hard, but everyone does hard things some times but encouraged them that that’s ok, and we need to learn from these hard things and know that we can grow from them.

The other message she had that resonated with me was to always be learning. She said that she is learning a new language and she tries to learn a new word every day. I have been blessed to be able to do school part time over the past years and now to return full time to work on my project is something I will never regret.
When the broadcast switched to Lebreton Flats, I could not put into words how well it was done. There were was singing, drumming, poetry reading and so much more. While guests were putting tiny shoes on the edge of the stage, an impressive 50 meter long banner came through the crowd. On it were thousands of names of children that died in schools. Sadly, as we continue the searches for graves, this number will only continue to grow.

There we tears all around the crowd, including Prime Minister Trudeau. Although I still cannot believe his actions last year by marking the day surfing, this year he did redeem himself. I will give credit to his speech-writer as it was so well written and Trudeau’s delivery was compassionate.
I hope that you all had time to take a moment to listen, learn something new and reflect this year. We cannot have reconciliation without truth. To achieve truth, we must first learn.
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