Advertisement

‘Everyone needs to be involved’: Okanagan marks National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Click to play video: 'National Day for Truth and Reconciliation'
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Canada marks its third National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, today. Now a statutory holiday, ceremonies and gatherings were held across the nation, encouraging Canadians to reflect on the residential school system's painful legacy. In Penticton, the City commemorated with a "Walk for the Children." – Sep 30, 2023

People of all ages gathered in downtown Kelowna on Saturday afternoon to reflect on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Held every Sept. 30, the day honours residential school survivors and raises awareness of Indigenous issues.

At the Ki-Low-Na Friendship Centre, executive director Edna Terbasket was pleased to see a large and multi-generational gathering.

Click to play video: 'Canada marks its third National Day for Truth and Reconciliation'
Canada marks its third National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

“If we’re going to create change, if we’re going to make a difference, everyone needs to be involved,” said Terbasket. “Everyone has to come to the table and we need to work together, communicate really well and support, honour and respect one another.”

Story continues below advertisement

According to the federal government, there were 140 federally run residential schools across the nation at various time periods between 1867 to 1996.

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.

Get daily National news

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Along with reflection, the Friendship Centre also offered food and activities for children.

“Anytime that we have an opportunity to open our doors and welcome the community, and create awareness, we will do it,” said Terbasket.

Click to play video: 'How to commemorate National Day for Truth and Reconciliation'
How to commemorate National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

In Penticton, around 300 people gathered to participate in a two-kilometre walk to honour survivors and their families.

“This monument that we are standing at is in recognition and memory of my family members some of them that attended residential school that are no longer here. I’ve lost three sisters that were part of it and we have a lot of community members that have now come and gone, and so it has impacted my family and the community as a whole,” said Greg Gabriel, Chief of the Penticton Indian Band.

Story continues below advertisement

“And that is why the significance of this day today is very real. We need to embrace the ones that are still with us and show them that we love them and never forget the ones that are no longer here.”

With files from Athena Bonneau

Click to play video: 'Truth and Reconciliation: Forging way forward just as important as look backwards, residential school survivors say'
Truth and Reconciliation: Forging way forward just as important as look backwards, residential school survivors say

Sponsored content

AdChoices