What the multi-coloured lights on the Sudbury police's Tree of Hope mean
It was a solemn but also celebratory moment at times outside the Greater Sudbury Police Service Sunday night as a "Tree of Hope" was lit at the corner of Brady and Minto Streets.
The tree was lit at exactly 7 p.m., in solidarity with four other police services -- UCCM Anishnaabe, Timmins, Barrie, and Thunder Bay -- as a way to honour missing, murdered, Indigenous women and girls along with two-spirited individuals.
"This is really a special evening and it's an evening about hope," Sudbury Police Chief Paul Pedersen said. "It certainly acknowledges the tragedy that exists currently but is also a real commitment to moving together and really acting on those recommendations from the truth and Reconciliation report."
The Tree of Hope initiative first started with the Thunder Bay Police Service three years ago.
Pedersen said he's hopeful this will serve as a reminder to Sudburians who see it.
"It's not lost on me that this is a time where we celebrate the festival of lights," he said. "This is a time where we put Christmas lights up and this tree is up so maybe we can check our privileges and understand not everyone gets to enjoy what we get to enjoy but we can move forward and have a better future."
The tree will be lit up with three colours. Orange to honour the thousands of victims lost as a result of residential schools, red to honour the thousands of MMIWG2S, and then a line of blue to represent the role police played in furthering systemic racism and oppression.
"We're in this together. We want to work collaboratively to come up with solutions and we want to learn from terrible tragedy and move forward and we're committed to that," Pedersen said.
"It's important to acknowledge that this is a start and there's much more work to be done," said Craig Nootchtai, chief of Atikameksheng Anishnawbek. "I just want to say that we need to continue our support for our friends in the MMIWG2S community."
Nootchtai praised the Greater Sudbury Police Service for some of the collaborative work its been doing to carry on the conversation.
He talked to the crowd about how the system has failed Indigenous women and two-spirited individuals, saying much of that has to do with some of the inter-generational trauma they suffered as a result of residential schools.
"It's not just the adults but also our children that have been affected, so we need to make sure we're addressing that as well," Nootchtai said.
"It's heartbreaking for me because four years ago I was in Regina and they brought in families who have gone through a missing family member," said Wahnapitae First Nation Chief Larry Roque. "They brought family after family. It's frustrating and it's maddening but at least now we're getting it out there more."
Roque is hopeful this will get recognized as the serious problem that it is, adding women, children and grandchildren are sacred to Indigenous culture.
"They're the future," he said.
The evening also saw a sacred fire with ashes from the original fire in Thunder Bay, drumming and smudging.
The lights will remain up for the entire holiday season.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.