Toronto’s “for-Indigenous, by-Indigenous” non-profit organization Na-Me-Res is returning to Hillcrest Park (950 Davenport Rd) on Tuesday, September 30th for its fourth annual Day of Remembrance to commemorate National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
The gathering will include a sunrise ceremony, sacred fire, traditional drumming circle and speechesfrom the community that will honour the victims, survivors and the families impacted by residential schools in Canada, as well as reignite calls for the Truth and Reconciliation Action Plan to be completed.
The Day of Remembrance ceremony is a community event that is free to attend and open to everyone seeking to reflect on and better understand the diverse history of Canada’s First Nations, Inuit and Metis people, as well as to honour the children who never returned home from, and the survivors of, residential schools.
“Indigenous peoples have rich and diverse traditions and contributions, we are a critical part of the Canadian story and the country’s future,“ said Steve Teekens, Executive Director, Na-Me-Res.“We continue to invite all Canadians to get to know Indigenous Peoples and to learn about their history and the challenges our communities still face today. Reconciliation is not just an Indigenous Issue. It is not a single gesture, action, or statement.”
“September 30th offers a stark reminder that we have more to do now and, in the future, to achieve real rights and equality for Canada’s Indigenous people,” added Teekens. “We need to continue to demand that First Nations, Inuit and Meits communities have clean drinking water, proper funding for social programs and affordable housing, among other actions.”
Day of Remembrance ceremony, hosted by Na-Me-Res
Tuesday, September 30
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Hillcrest Park, 950 Davenport Rd, Toronto (Christie St. & Hillcrest Dr., Toronto)
*Na-Me-Res is a critical organization in Toronto that fills in gaps in services for Indigenous men experiencing homelessness and Indigenous people in Toronto through streets to homes outreach, skills training, cultural reconnection, affordable housing and primary health care through its Auduzhe Mino Nesewinong Health clinic.
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation has become widely known as Orange Shirt Day. Inspired by Phyllis Webstad’s story of having her orange shirt, a gift from her grandmother, ripped away on her first day at the St. Joseph Mission Residential School, her story became the driving force behind Orange Shirt Day and the words ‘Every Child Matters’.
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