A full day of activities by the Kapuskasing Indian Friendship Centre is set to help mark the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Thursday. The Centre’s Cultural Resource Coordinator Terrance Sutherland says they’ve partnered with several school boards in the region to create fun activities for the children.
“They may not remember immediately but later on in life they’ll say, hey, know what these events the September 30th indigenous people’s day, winter summer solstice, youth gathering whatever are, our end goal is to have people see each other for who we are.”
Sutherland says community participation is critical.
“Local our community takes part in the healing process. So I know the school boards approached us or we approached the school boards with open arms. That relationship that needs to take place, the healing to take place is very important.”
Here is a full list of activities:
9 am — Special Ceremony at Riverside Park that includes Sacred Tree Ceremony, Drumming, Land Acknowledgement, Special Dedication Prayer.
9:30 am — Walk to Indian Friendship Centre
10:15 am to 3 pm — Activity tables for school boards
Noon to 5 pm — Community Barbecue
2 pm to 5 pm — Music from Jesse and Kurtis
5 pm to 7 pm – Elder/Survivor Social.
