Weekend for Truth and Reconciliation continues in the Sault
If the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation was a look into the past, the following day of activities in its honour was about looking forward.
The first-of-its-kind event held by Indigenous Tourism Ontario brought in thousands to the Canal District, said Colleen Nolan, a resident of Garden River and an organizer of the festivities.
“Today is a celebration. A celebration of who we are, who we continue to be, what we bring to our culture, and that growing sense of pride. We have skirt makers here, earrings, a lot of great different things,” Nolan added.
Over 20 vendors were set up, selling a variety of items ranging from artwork to clothing. Other vendors were on hand showing the items that are significant to Indigenous culture.Many Indigenous vendors were on hand showing the items that are significant to First Nation culture. (Cory Nordstrom/CTV News Northern Ontario)Barbara Day, a member of Batchewana First Nation, spent part of her day teaching people about her and her ancestors’ way of life.
“It’s very important to share also the positive side, that we have a beautiful culture. And my theme that I chose today are the gifts that our people gave to the world,” Day told CTV News.
The event also had music and entertainment, something that Nolan says is crucial to Indigenous people.
“We have an honour song; we have a travelling song. There’s a lot of different songs that are all special to us, and have that purposeful meaning,” Nolan said.
She adds that the weekend was a huge success; in addition to the day's event, more than 2500 were in attendance for a drone show Friday night.
Because of this success, Nolan said, they will be holding a celebration again next year to mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Snowbirds in Vancouver for puck-drop flyby as Canucks face Oilers
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be performing a flyover across downtown Vancouver at the start of tonight's Stanley Cup playoff game between the Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.