Truth and Reconciliation Day presented by Indigenous Community Collective

Many Truth and Reconciliation Day events in Sudbury were presented by the Indigenous Community Collective.

The day started with a song as community members dressed in orange walked to Bell Park from the N’Swakamok Native Friendship Centre on Friday morning.

After the walk, the Grace Hartman Amphitheatre was packed as many area schools attended to watch the play, Debwewin. This special performance was created just for the event.

“A day of accepting and learning and I think it opens the doorway for people to hear Debwewin and that’s what Debwewin means is truth and that’s part of our Seven Grandfathers that’s our value system that I believe all human being have received we just need to start working at implementing them,” Angela Recollet, CEO of the Shkagamik-Kwe Health Centre told CTV News.

There were over 2,000 students in attendance for the play and it meant something different to each of them.

“It means that we’re out of the horrible days of residential schools and that every child should be treated the same no matter their race, their culture, it doesn’t matter; they all matter,” one student said.

“What it means to me is that we are all here together to spend this day together to cherish the ones that aren’t here today,” said another student.

Friday night’s Sudbury Wolves season opener was also dedicated to the Nation Day of Truth and Reconciliation.