By Pepper Parr
October 1st, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
It was early evening. The weather was great.
The crowd grey to about 100 people.
Around 100 people had gathered at the Pavilion in Spencer Smith Park to take part in a Truth and Reconciliation Day event.
The majority wore the Orange T-shirts that had the Every Child Matters in bold letters on the front.
A few Indigenous women spoke – some drumming took place there was some singing before the group headed to the Beachway in a parade along the Promenade.
An Indigenous woman sing and drumming during the ceremonial parts of the event.
I was expecting more. There were no male speakers. The women told of their experiences with Residential schools. Is there a single person who is not by now fully aware of what was done to these people?
And are there very many people fully aware of what we are still doing to these people ?
Lydia – one of the few young people at the event. Literally no Indigenous people that I could see at the event.
Lydia – getting restless.
The chemicals that were dumped in the Grassy Narrows waters; the hundreds of communities that still do not have potable water – what they drink has to be transported into their communities.
How many thousands of people have to live in sub-standard housing where mould is a constant problem ?
They call themselves First Nation people and they are – but we don’t even treat them as citizens.
I expected more of what took place at Spencer Smith Park on a pleasant evening.
I wasn’t quite sure what it was we were celebrating.
Indigenous art was displayed throughout Spencer Smith Park.
It was intended as a reflection rather than a celebration.