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Public invited to aboriginal healing day

By: Ashley Prest

Posted: 05/26/2010 7:30 AM | Comments: 0 (including replies)

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Canada's National Day of Healing and Reconciliation begins with a pipe ceremony and the lighting of a sacred fire at The Forks. Several events are planned in honour of residential school survivors and in recognition of Australia's National Sorry Day.

WINNIPEG - The Forks, Winnipeg’s historic gathering place, is hosting a day of healing and all are invited.

The Manitobans For Healing and Reconciliation Day is a grassroots movement to focus on healing and educating people while celebrating the healing journey of the Indian Residential School survivors and their families.

"It is beginning the dialogue between aboriginal and non-aboriginal people about the impact of the Indian Residential Schools in Canada so it’s an opportunity to educate each other and educate ourselves," said Albert McLeod, co-director of Manitobans for Healing and Reconciliation (MBHR), in an interview this morning. "We want to learn from those people who have moved on, who were former students, how they have achieved their healing in their lives as well as in their famililes’ lives."

The day began at 5:30 a.m. at The Forks Oodena Celebration Circle with the Sunrise Pipe Ceremony and the lighting of the Sacred Fire. The day’s agenda includes the Manitoba Lance Runners, Elders and the Strong Singing Turtle Women drum group, a community lunch and a Listening Tent at 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. when Justice Murray Sinclair will present thoughts on healing and reconciliation.

The event is being held on May 26 in recognition of Canada’s National Day of Healing & Reconciliation. The day is is not only focused on aboriginal and non-aboriginal relations as it marks the importance of all nations to address lingering issues from past injustices linked to culture, religion or race, note organizers.

A MBHR release stated "the intention is to move forward by educating ourselves about our history and to engage collectively with our families across Canada for the purpose of healing and reconciliation."

McLeod said the day is open to everyone to come to The Forks and be a part of the events taking place there.

"There’s a lot to learn and hopefully it will transform people’s views of each other and create strong relationships, healing relationships," McLeod said. "We encourage everyone to come to The Forks, be a part of it and observe and share, if they would like to share."

The events are held on May 26 to affirm solidarity with Reconcilation Australia Sorry Day, which began in 1997 when evidence was brought to Australian Parliament about the removal of thousands of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families. Canada’s National Day of Healing and Reconcilation is June 11 to link with the anniversary date of Canada’s apology to Manitoba families whose lives were impacted when children here were placed in Residential Schools.

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