It had been an emotional day for Indigenous communities throughout the country, but it was an important day to commemorate.

That害羞草研究所檚 what Westbank First Nation (WFN) Chief Christopher Derickson said about the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

害羞草研究所淛ust remembering not only the 215 kids that didn害羞草研究所檛 make it home but the ongoing trauma that Indigenous peoples and communities across Canada continue to suffer because of residential schools, colonial policies and ongoing systemic racism in Canada,害羞草研究所� he said.

The nation hosted a drumming circle for the community and those from outside WFN to remember the children whose remains have been found recently at various former residential school sites, as well as to mark the new national day as a step to reconciliation.

Elder George Fosberry spoke at the event, recounting his mother害羞草研究所檚 experiences in residential school and how he has seen her experiences affect their family.

害羞草研究所淚 don害羞草研究所檛 like the word reconciliation. I think it害羞草研究所檚 reparation. I think there needs to be a time of repair,害羞草研究所� he said.

害羞草研究所淎nd the only time (Canada害羞草研究所檚 relationship with Indigenous peoples) going to get repaired is if we could all work together, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, brothers and sisters. If you learn to understand what really happened and you know for a fact that it did happen, you can start to find ways to repair it.

害羞草研究所淢aybe you can start to repair it in your own heart. That害羞草研究所檚 a really good place to start.害羞草研究所�

Derickson said he agreed with Fosberry害羞草研究所檚 sentiments.

害羞草研究所淭here害羞草研究所檚 definitely a gap there when it comes to what the government of Canada needs to do, but at the same time, I have more hope in Canadians in general to do the right thing and to stay educated about the past and to understand what created this legacy in Canada,害羞草研究所� he said.

害羞草研究所淎nd to get past the stereotypes and racist remarks or thoughts about who Indigenous people are and to start to understand who we are as a people and realize that we did not change the current state of our communities. This was forced on us. We do want a better life, just like all Canadians: we want access to affordable housing, clean drinking water, we want safe places for our families to grow up in.害羞草研究所�

Derickson said he is hopeful that today is a good beginning for many others to learn more about how they can help pave the way towards reconciliation, starting with community members coming to the drumming circle and listening to their stories.

害羞草研究所�(It was) really heartwarming and uplifting to see not just our community members come out but to see people from outside the community come in and take part in an event like this,害羞草研究所� he said.

READ MORE: Penticton Indian Band and Council denounce Truth and Reconciliation Day

twila.amato@blackpress.ca
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