A walk in remembrance of those we lost and those who survived residential schools is planned for Sept. 28 in downtown Sarnia.
Lila Bruyere, who spent eight years in a residential school, is the organizer behind the event, which is taking place before Orange Shirt Day on Sept. 30, so that it is easier for more people to attend.
“For myself, it's a day of mourning, grieving. Because of the nightmare that took place,” Bruyere tells The Journal.
Bruyere has been sharing her story for the last 30 years of growing up on Couchiching First Nation and surviving residential school through public speaking and events like this one.
“I've been doing this a long time, and it really shocks me sometimes, because the first question that I always ask is, how many of you know about residential schools, and a lot of people don't know,” says Bruyere.
Bruyere remembers a time when a couple asked about the story behind her orange shirt, and her surprise at how he didn’t know much about residential schools in Canada.
“We started a conversation, I ended up talking to them, and sharing a little bit of my experience with them, and they shook my hand, and the lady hugged me and said that they were sorry this happened,” says Bruyere.
“That's not my main goal, an apology, my goal is to educate them. They are going to remember that.”
The Saturday walk will commence at noon in front of City Hall, with the march continuing down Christina Street to Derby, then along Front Street to the First Nations Flag Plaza.
The walk will end with a round dance, and the event will include speakers and drums.
“I'm really encouraging people to bring their rattles or their drums, bring their voices. So we can make it beautiful,” Bruyere says.