On Wednesday, September 30, the students of Jimmy Sandy Memorial School led our community on a walk for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. We walked to honour the children who never came home from residential schools, and the Survivors who did.
This was the biggest Truth and Reconciliation walk Kawawachikamach has held so far. The line of orange stretched around half the loop.
Drumming, singing, and time together
There was drumming and singing along the way, and plenty of time to talk with each other as we walked. Families, Elders, staff, and a lot of very small people in very big orange hoodies all moved together.
Thank you
Thank you to the students and staff of Jimmy Sandy Memorial School for leading the walk, and to Naskapi Wellness Programs, Kathleen Tooma’s Beautiful Dawn Women’s Shelter, and the Naskapi Police for hosting. Thank you to everyone who came out and wore orange.
If you need support
Today can bring up a lot for Survivors and their families. The National Indian Residential School Crisis Line is free and open 24 hours at 1-866-925-4419. The Hope for Wellness Helpline is at 1-855-242-3310 or HopeForWellness.ca. Kids Help Phone is at 1-800-668-6868, or text FIRSTNATIONS to 686868.
Photos by Benjamin Jancewicz.