Oxford County Honours National Day for Truth & Reconciliation

There will be lots of ways you can honour National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Oxford County.

OXFORD COUNTY - It's time to understand the truth, and actively work towards reconciliation.

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is coming up on Monday September 30th. It recognizes those who were impacted by the residential school system in Canada and the 60s Millennial Scoops, where large numbers of Indigenous children were brought into the child welfare system.

Patricia Marshal is the Founder and the Director of the Indigenous, Solidarity and Awareness Network for Oxford County, also known as ISAN Oxford. She says residential schools have impacted Canada for over 150 years and 150,000 children were taken into the system, with many of them never returning home.

On top of this, Marshal says over 4,000 Indigenous women and girls have been lost on the Highway of Tears, and many other Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women have been ignored. Many water advisories have also been issued for Ontario's First Nation communities, which is also concerning.

"There have been 94 calls to action published by the TRC (Truth and Reconciliation Commission). One of the most important ones talks about how it is every individual citizen's responsibility and obligation to start working works truth and reconciliation."

There will be lots going on in Oxford County to honour National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Several municipalities will raise the Every Child Matters Flag today, and you can find the details regarding the flag-raising ceremonies below:

- Oxford County Administration Building @ 9:30 a.m.

- Woodstock Museum Square @ 10:00 a.m.

- Zorra Township Office @ 11:00 a.m.

- Dewan Park in Ingersoll @ 12:00 p.m.

- Tillsonburg (exact time and location TBD)

Norwich Township raised its flag outside the Norwich Community Centre on Tuesday and it will remain there until Thursday October 3rd.

Looking at Monday's event schedule, ISAN Oxford will start everything off with a Sunrise and Pipe Ceremony at the Pittock Conservation Area in Woodstock. It will begin at 7:00 a.m. in the Bluegrass area, and the ceremony will honour the children. Marshal says it's tradition to offer a tobacco offering for the pipe ceremony, but they will have some on site for those who can't bring any themselves. It's also tradition for those who identify as female to wear long ribbon skirts for this ceremony, but Marshal says that it will not be mandatory for this event.

Marshal says the 4th annual March for Truth and Reconciliation will return to Ingersoll Monday evening.

"It's going to begin at 6:00 p.m. with introductions and a presentation by Dr. Ryan Neepin who has a PHD of Indigenous Studies at Laurier University. Then we are going to do our march and we're going to enjoy some drumming from ISAN's drum group and a talk by elder Eric Martin who is Chippewa and Mohawk."

The march will follow the same route as last year, starting at Yvonne Mott Memorial Park and ending at the pavilion at the Ingersoll Cheese and Agricultural Museum. Those who attend will also be able to check out information booths, a vendor market, and pay their respects at the Red Dress Memorial. 

Marshal says this is an all-ages event and encourages families to come on out.

"It's really important that you show up to show your commitment to learning and moving forward in a good way. Bringing your children is the best way to set our future up for positive success and for people understanding that you do belong and we're all in this together."

Becca Neepin, a Cree artist who also serves as the Deputy Director of ISAN, has designed special orange shirts that people can wear on Monday. She has several designs available and they can be purchased at the Independent in Ingersoll, the Woodstock Museum, the Woodstock Hospital from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. today and Appleland this weekend.

Marshal is also very excited about a new memorial in Ingersoll that honours warriors and veterans of all races. It's painted on the roadway of the four crosswalks at the intersection of King Street and Oxford Street, and it includes phrases in Oneida, Annishaabemowin, French and English.

This was a partnership between the Ingersoll BIA and the Ingersoll Legion and Marshal believes this is the first time Indigenous language has been included on a memorial like this.

"As far I know it's the first time for a settler community, definitely in Ontario. I have been trying to find it, but Google has not been my friend so I have not heard of any anywhere else. So if somebody knows of it being somewhere else, please let me know because I would love to give it tribute and attention."

Heart FM will honour National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Monday by participating in A Day to Listen. This is a partnership with the Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Foundation, which provides special programming for media outlets to air from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on September 30th. The theme this year is All My Relations and you can find more information online here.

Lastly, Oxford County Warden Marcus Ryan has this message for everyone ahead of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

"I think we should take Truth and Reconciliation at its face value and invest on those words. What is the truth of what really happened, and is happening?  How do we work at reconciliation? There is no need for individual shame over the truth, but if we can be proud of Canadian veterans, we can be equally sorry for the actions of previous Canadian governments.  We need to learn and discuss what meaningful reconciliation steps are, and take them. I think you will see Oxford taking some steps.”

You can find more information regarding the Indigenous Solidary and Awareness Network of Oxford County online here.

Patricia Marshal also called the Heart FM studio to chat with Dan and Marcie on Thursday September 26th. You can listen to the full interview below: