Newmarket invites community to ceremony Sept. 30 to mark National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Event begins at Fairy Lake amphitheatre at 1 p.m.

Yorkregion.com
Sept. 29, 2023
Lisa Queen

The community is invited to a ceremony at Fairy Lake Sept. 30 as Newmarket comes together to honour the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

The town, in collaboration with Indigenous partners, is inviting residents to the event to commemorate the annual day, which honours the lost children and survivors of residential schools, their families and communities.

Kim Wheatley, Shawanaga First Nation Reserve Anishinaabe Ojibway grandmother who carries the Spirit name Head or Leader of the Fireflower and is Turtle clan, will offer words, perform hand drumming and share prayers.

Everyone is encouraged to attend with reflection and a commitment to reconciliation.

Sept. 30 is also Orange Shirt Day, an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day that relates to the experience of Phyllis Webstad, a Northern Secwpemc (Shuswap) from the Stswecem'c Xgat'tem First Nation, when on her first day of school, where she arrived dressed in a new orange shirt, which was taken from her.

It is now a symbol of the stripping away of culture, freedom and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children over generations.

Residents are encouraged to wear orange to raise awareness of the very tragic legacy of residential schools, to honour the thousands of children whose lives were lost and those who survived but continue to experience the trauma to this day.

The event will be held Sept. 30 at 1 p.m. at Fairy Lake’s amphitheatre at 520 Water St.

The amphitheatre can be accessed by walking along Tom Taylor Trail and parking is available at the Municipal Offices at 395 Mulock Dr. or along Cane Parkway.