Northern Ont. residential school survivor to throw first pitch at Blue Jays game Friday
As part of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Friday, Dolores Naponse will throw the first pitch when the Toronto Blue Jays take on the Boston Red Sox.
Dolores Naponse, 72, is an Indigenous elder, advocate and residential school survivor from the Atikameksheng Anishnawbek First Nation just southwest of Sudbury.
Her presence is a reminder of the need to know the history of what happened to victims of residential schools.
"What I hope people learn from this – Canada, all of Canada learn from this -- is how we were taken away, how hurt we were in those schools and the loneliness that we went through by being there," said Naponse.
She has been an active advocate for many issues.
Her daughter, Lisa Marie, is proud of what her mom has survived and accomplished.
"She has done so much work for our communities and never asked for anything," said Lisa Marie.
"She has done a walk across Ontario in 2000 for diabetes awareness. She is on our health committee here, in our community. And she has done so much for residential survivors in our community."
For her part, Dolores said she's looking forward to getting to Toronto. She said she is throwing the first pitch all for survivors and communities to move forward in a good way.
"I am excited to go there," she said.
"My family is supporting me and we have the Atikameksheng Blue Jays Care teams across the seven First Nations going to be there. So it's going to be an exciting time, not only for me, but all of the First Nations."
This summer, several North Shore First Nations took part in a Jays Care Indigenous Rookie Baseball League for ages 7-15, including Delores' grandsons.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.