HEART LAKE - A solemn lead-up to Orange Shirt Day on Sept. 30 saw dozens in Heart Lake First Nations participate in a full-day event honouring Indigenous communities impacted by the Indian Residential School system.
Participants gathered for a ceremonial walk from Heart Lake Kohls School where a dream catcher monument was unveiled — in the community located 70 km north of Lac La Biche during the event that was hosted early on Sept. 28, said Rayann Blood, Heart lake First Nation’s recreational director.
“We had guest speakers and prayers from elders and the community, and an unveiling of the school’s Every Child Matters monument (dream catcher) made by Clarence Ward,” the community school’s land-based and cultural teacher, which “will be smudged and displayed at the school for years to come,” she explained.
Leading up to the morning walk, the group comprised of Heart Lake members and visitors, wore orange shirts during the event. Walking through the community with elders and members who sang an Honour Song to recognize the thousands of “children that have never made it home from the Indian Residential Schools,” was special, said Blood.
“There are over 10,000 unmarked graves so far and that's not even half of the residential schools in Canada,” said Blood.
“We created a river of orange and it was a beautiful sight to see… We walked for truth and reconciliation and came together as a community to raise awareness within our school and community about the unjust practices of past governments and how that has negatively impacted our communities for generations."
Contributions
Organizing the event, which included a meal, educational activities and discussions to promote healing, was a huge community effort that will leave a lasting impact. A partnership between Blood and Ruby Sweetman, Native Cultural Arts instructor at Portage College, who created a personalized quilt resembling the national and local community, will be displayed for years to come.
“The heart in the centre represents our community Heart Lake First Nation and is filled with hand-picked sage. The orange represents the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and the black represents the dark history of the residential school era. The floral kookum print represents the survivors and our elders,”on the quilt explained Blood.
Additionally, community member Melissa Larocque hosted an evening activity prior to the event for women to make ribbon skirt garments to wear during the walk.
“It was a very meaningful two days as there are many traditional teachings that come with ribbon skirts,” said Blood.
Orange Shirt Day designs
Leading up to the event, a logo competition was held for Heart Lake youth and adults to create and submit an Orange Shirt Day design that will be inscribed on signs, shirts and displays throughout the community, next year.
“All the artwork was displayed for everyone to view and the winners were announced, after some very difficult judging, during the crafts.”
The winners in the three categories were Heart Lake Kohls School student Kyleigh Hopwood, youth Kyra Monias and adult Amy Lee Monias.
A big thank-you is owed to all the organizers, educators, leaders and participants involved, said Blood.
“This event was successful because we worked together as a team… Working together and coming together with good intentions is what it's all about because it truly does take a community to raise a child.”
