Indigenous Peoples across Canada will be using July 1 to acknowledge the impacts of Canada's residential school system in light of recent discoveries of burial sites and unmarked graves associated with residential school sites in western Canada.
On Wednesday, the Lower Kootenay Band in British Columbia revealed that a search using ground-penetrating radar had found 182 human remains in unmarked graves at a site close to a former residential school in Cranbrook, just hours after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reportedly asked that the national flag on the Peace Tower remain at half-mast for Canada Day to honour the Indigenous children who died in residential schools.
From memorial walks to acts of solidarity, a handful of events are taking place to recognize the impacts of the residential school system and the ever-growing Every Child Matters movement.
Hrere's a brief rundown of what's happening in Sault Ste. Marie and the Algoma District:
Shingwauk Anishnaabe Students' Association holding memorial walk
The Shingwauk Anishnaabe Students' Association, joined by the Algoma University Student Union, will be holding a memorial walk beginning at 1 p.m.
The walk will begin at the Station Mall parking lot near the old Walmart location.
The group is encouraging participants wear an orange shirt.
COVID protocols will be in effect.
Batchewana First Nation hosts Every Child Matters event
Batchewana First Nation has erected a teepee and lit a sacred fire at the Rankin pow wow grounds in recognition of the Every Child Matters movement. The sacred fire will remain lit until Thursday afternoon, according to a social media post from the First Nation.
Medicines will also be made available for offerings.
COVID-related safety protocols will be in place.
Community members are being reminded that the First Nation’s mental health and wellness team can be contacted through the health centre.
Garden River to shut down part of Highway 17B for walk
Garden River First Nation will host the Every Child Matters Recognition Walk from 1-3 p.m. The walk will begin at Garden River Recreation Centre and end at the Garden River Community Centre. All flags, staff carriers and dancers are encouraged to attend. Parking will be available at the recreation centre.
People attending the walk are also encouraged to wear orange shirts. COVID-related protocols such as masks and social distancing will be in effect.
Highway 17B will be closed from Syrette Lake Road to Ball Park Road during Thursday’s walk. Traffic delays are expected. Motorists are being asked to use Highway 17A as an alternate route.
Serpent River First Nation to slow down traffic on Highway 17
East Algoma Ontario Provincial Police says it will be monitoring a peaceful demonstration involving members from Serpent River First Nation, who will be sharing information to call attention to Canada’s residential school system during a traffic slow down on Highway 17 Thursday from 12-2 p.m.
Literature will be handed out at the west entrance to Serpent River Trading Post and Gas Bar on Highway 17. The highway will remain open to vehicles in both directions.
Motorists are requested to use caution and slow down when travelling in this area due to an increase in pedestrians.
Thessalon store postpones grand opening fireworks after talks with First Nation
Maple Ridge Store in Thessalon has announced on social media that it’s postponing its fireworks show scheduled for Canada Day in solidarity with Thessalon First Nation.
The business will be lighting candles instead as a remembrance of the lives lost and the “hardship faced by our friends, neighbours and loved ones.”
“After speaking with the local band office and receiving a reply from their chief and having a deep discussion here, we have decided to postpone the fireworks to honour the time of grieving for our Native families and neighbours,” reads the post, which appeared on social media Wednesday. “We respect the needs and deep grief of our friends and neighbours and it is our wish that they know that although we may not fully understand the depth of their pain, that we are standing with them in support and compassion.”
Wiikwemkoong man running 147 kilometres for Every Child Matters movement
Wiikwemkoong community member Michael Eshkawkogan will begin his 147-kilometre journey to Manitoulin Island to residential school sites in Spanish, Ont. July 1 in recognition of the Every Child Matters movement.
It’s anticipated Eshkawkogan will do about 6-8 hours of running, jogging and walking each day, according to a recent social media post.
The walk is slated to wrap up in Spanish July 3.
‘Rainbow Warriors’ walking to Whitefish Island this week
A group of people from Whitefish, Ont. have been walking to honour the Every Child Matters movement. According to a social media post from earlier this week, the group of walkers is expected to arrive on Whitefish Island in Sault Ste. Marie by the end of the week.
The national residential schools crisis line can also be accessed by calling 1-844-925-4419. The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days per week. Hope for Wellness also offers around the clock counselling to Indigenous Peoples through its online chat service or by calling 1-855-242-3310. Phone counselling through Hope for Wellness is offered in English, French, Anishinaabemowin, Cree and Inuktitut.