Journal Staff
Sarnia-Lambton residents have the opportunity to participate in a number of community events to honour The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
The federal statutory holiday, Sept. 30, also known as Orange Shirt Day, was created in response to the Truth and Reconciliation’s Call to Action (#80), encouraging Canadians to honour the children who never returned home and Survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities.
On Friday, Sept. 30, the Sarnia-Lambton Native Friendship Centre will host an Orange Shirt Day Gathering beginning at Paul Blundy Park (Lochiel St.) for a welcoming prayer, flag raise and song, beginning at 8:45 a.m.
At 9:30, participants are invited to Veteran’s Park, where drummers, singers and dancers will lead a walk down Christina Street to Sarnia City Hall, where a 10 a.m. ceremony includes guest speakers, children singing and closing remarks.
Following that, the City of Sarnia's UNDRIP Committee (United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples) will also host a ceremony to mark the day, including the unveiling of a new Residential Schools Memorial Crosswalk at Front and Lochiel Streets, around 11:30 a.m.
Local students are encouraged to wear orange to school as a show of support.
During the week, events and learning opportunities were held at schools across Sarnia-Lambton to honour the memory of the children who never came home.