National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is on Tuesday, September 30.
It's a day to honour the survivors of Canada's residential school system, their families, and communities. It's also to commemorate the children who never returned home.
On Thursday, the Dauphin Friendship Centre has partnered with Mackenzie Middle School, Treaty 2, and Treaty 4 to host a Truth and Reconciliation Day ceremony from 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Guest speakers begin at 11:00, and an awareness walk. Then there's a community lunch from 12:00 to 1:00.
There will be cultural, educational, and activity stations from 1:00 to 3:00. The event is at the school yard at Mackenzie Middle School.
A few stations will be inside, but the majority will be outside.
Jarri Thompson is with the DFC.
"This day gives us the opportunity to pause, reflect, and learn so that the harms of the past are never repeated," said Thompson. "It also helps us to understand how systemic racism began in Canada through policies like residential schools and the Indian Act. And the deep and lasting harms they caused to Indigenous peoples, their families, and communities."
Thompson invites all community members, and everyone is asked to wear orange shirts as a show of support.
Other than that, bring an open heart and mind.
"As an Indigenous woman who is raising children in today's education system and someone who works in the social service sector, this day brings profound meaning to me," ended Thompson. "I see firsthand the lasting impact of residential schools and systemic racism. This day is a reminder of why we must learn from our history, so we don't repeat it."
Northwest Metis Council will be hosting an Orange Shirt Day for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 29 from 10:00 to 2:00 at Whitmore School.
That will include performances by Gary and Edward Klyne and the Dauphin Friendship Centre's Diversity Dancers. There will be a bouncy house, a Michif language booth, and more.
West Region Treaty 2 and 4 hosts Orange Shirt Day on September 30 from 10:00 to 2:00 at 8th Avenue Hall in Dauphin.
