Local communities observe Truth and Reconciliation Day
The Secret Path.
By Cecilia Nasmith
With Truth and Reconciliation Day on Sept. 30 approaching, many observances are planned.
The Municipality of Port Hope is observing the occasion by partnering with the County of Northumberland to present a free screening of The Secret Path at the Capitol Theatre.
This acclaimed film project by the late Gord Downie is the story of 12-year-old Chanie Wenjack who died in 1966 after escaping a residential school in northern Ontario and attempting to walk the hundreds of kilometres home.
The Capitol is located at 20 Queen St., and the showing starts at 7 p.m., followed by a panel discussion featuring leading Indigenous voices and advocates. Mayor Olena Hankivsky will moderate a panel consisting of Anishinabek Nation Southeast Regional Chief Marsha Smoke, Yellowhead Institute Executive Director Dr. Hayden King, and Alderville First Nation Chief Taynar Simpson.
Though admission is free, tickets can be reserved on the theatre's website. Donations will be accepted, and divided between Campbellford's Aron Indigenous Circle and Past Time, a legacy project in honour of a residential school survivor.
The Town of Cobourg hosts a screening of the 2017 film Indian Horse, at 2:30 and 7 p.m. in the Citizens' Forum at Victoria Hall (55 King St. W.), an adaptation of Ojibway writer Richard Wagamese's novel about an Ojibway boy's experiences at a residential school in the 1950s. The screenings are free and open to the public.
Along the Waterfront Wisdom pathway – along the town's shoreline – 26 banners created by local Indigenous artists Rick Beaver and Koren Smoke are displayed, reminding us of our deep connections to the land, The stories behind each piece of art are available at www.ExperienceCobourg.ca/waterfrontwisdompathway. Visitors will also notice two orange Adirondack chairs featuring written reflections shared by community members during past observances. The town is pleased to share that the Waterfront Wisdom Pathway has been nominated for the Creative City Network of Canada Impact Award in the IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility) Award category.
Other Cobourg observances include lighting Victoria Hall in orange and lowering flags to half-mast. At the Cobourg Public Library, they have introduced a new orange feather sticker for materials written by Indigenous authors, which can be seen on a variety of book displays throughout the premises.
And in Alderville, participants in the Every Child Matters Walk will gather at 10:45 a.m. at the Alderville Health and Social Services building (8467 County Rd. 45) for the 11 a.m. procession north to the Alderville First Nation Community Centre (8913 Count Rd. 45). A bus will be provided to return to the Health and Social Services building. This event is open to everyone, and all are encouraged to wear an orange shirt to raise awareness of what Orange Shirt Day represents, while encouraging Canadians to answer the Calls to Action for Truth and Reconciliation.
