Saturday event in Spanish, Ont., to honour residential school victims
Three First Nations in northern Ontario are taking part in a daylong event Saturday to honour victims of residential schools.
Called 'Nojomowinaan Ginishnaabewinanig ~ Healing Our People,' the event will take place at the Spanish River Marina, the sit Site of the former Spanish River Residential School.
"The leadership of Sagamok Anishnawbek, Serpent River and Mississauga First Nations invite you to this one-day event to remember our young children who perished during the residential school era," said a social media post announcing the vent.
Elder Richard Assinewa will lead ceremonies, which begin at 6:30 a.m. with a sunrise ceremony "to start a day of healing circles and ceremonies," the post said.
"Sweatlodge will be available throughout the day for those who wish to attend. There will be support in place to help those who wish to seek extra help."
COVID-19 protocols will be in place for everyone's safety, organizers said, and attendees are encourage to bring their own lawn chairs.
"If you have sacred items, please bring them for the talking/Healing Circles," the post said. "Breakfast, lunch and supper is being provided for up to 100 people."
No registration required.
Schedule of events:
- 6:30 a.m.: Sunrise ceremony, Sharing Circle. Sacred Fire to run all day for tobacco offerings led by Richard Assinewea.
- 8 a.m.: Breakfast.
- 9 a.m.: Sweatlodge on site for those who wish to attend mixed sweat led by Richard Assinewea.
- 9 a.m.: Sharing circle with leadership discussing, 'Children of residential school and what can be done to heal our Anishnawbek Nation.'
- 10:30 a.m.: Break—healthy snack.
- 11 a.m.: Continuation of sharing circle with leadership.
- Noon: Feast. Each chief of the respective communities will do food offering on behalf of all the children and communities.
- 1 p.m.: Sweatlodge. Mixed sweat led by Wayne Southwind.
- 1 p.m.: Healing circle.
- 2:30 p.m.: Break—healthy snack.
- 4:30 p.m.: Closing remarks by leadership for the day.
- 4:30 p.m.: Helpers sweat done by Leroy Bennett.
- 5 p.m.: End of the day Supper.
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.
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.
BREAKING McGill University seeks emergency injunction to remove pro-Palestinian encampment from campus
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
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.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Friday that Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
More than half the Canadians once detained in Syrian camps for suspected ISIS family members have returned home
A total of 29 Canadians have been freed from detention camps in northeast Syria and brought back to Canada since human rights advocates began lobbying for their release years ago.
Canada abstains from Palestinian UN membership vote but supports two-state solution
Canada was one of 25 countries that abstained from a United Nations vote on Palestinian membership that passed with overwhelming support on Friday.