Sacred fire at police HQ brings ‘healing reflection and spiritual connection’ WPS chief pledges to listen, learn during service ahead of Orange Shirt Day By: Tyler Searle Posted: 3:01 PM CDT Monday, Sep. 29, 2025 Last Modified: 3:47 PM CDT Monday, Sep. 29, 2025 Updates

Wood smoke and burning sage wafted through downtown Winnipeg Monday morning, as the Winnipeg Police Service hosted a ceremony in recognition of the fifth annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Officers, for the first time, sparked a sacred fire outside of WPS headquarters on Smith Street, under the guidance of Indigenous Elder Mike Calder.

“My hope is that the sacred fire helps create a space where community can join our members in healing reflection and spiritual connection,” WPS Chief Gene Bowers told a crowd of police, transit security officers and community members who gathered to witness the event.

“As a police service, we carry a profound duty. More than serving and protecting, that duty is about listening, learning and repairing relationships. We must acknowledge that, at times, the relationship between police and Indigenous communities has been strained, marked with harm and mistrust.”

The fire is expected to continue burning until Tuesday morning, at which point the Survivor’s Flag will be raised at all city police detachments.

Residential school survivors designed the flag in 2021. It features an Indigenous motif on an orange and white background in honour of the impact residential schools had on Indigenous people, families and communities, according to the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation.

“My hope is that the sacred fire helps create a space where community can join our members in healing reflection and spiritual connection.”

The move comes as Manitoba prepares to observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, also known as Orange Shirt Day, which was enshrined as a provincial statutory holiday on Sept. 30, 2024.

It also follows Bowers’ repeated pledges to advance reconciliation within the police force, and the hiring of Sheila North as the first external Indigenous relations adviser to the WPS.

North, a former journalist and grand chief of Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak, said the ceremony left her feeling optimistic.

“I think it says a lot that (police) are willing to build trust and make it reciprocal,” North told reporters, adding she would like to see the ceremony become an annual event “to keep educating their members on the importance of days like this, and to continue to show respect for the Indigenous population.”

“I think it is very much long overdue that we see events that honour the traditions and cultures of Indigenous people in such an important organization like the Winnipeg police,” North said.

The roughly one-hour service included comments from Bowers, North and Justice Minister Matt Wiebe. Tobacco ties were offered to attendees, made with repurposed fabrics from WPS uniforms.

It also featured an Indigenous prayer and song, and speeches from residential school survivors.

Elder Geraldine (Gramma) Shingoose said authorities threatened her parents with arrest when they attempted to stop her from being taken to a residential school.

“They had no choice, and it really impacted my family,” Shingoose said, her voice breaking as she spoke directly to police in the crowd.

“How would it be for you, for someone to come and get your children?”

“Think about those families, the parents that were left behind and how they must experience that loss… How would it be for you, for someone to come and get your children?”

Shingoose urged officers to keep her story, and the stories of thousands of other residential school survivors, in their minds as they reflect on their commitment to community safety and policing. She called the ceremony “a true act of reconciliation” by the police service.

“I welcomed this. I welcomed the sacred fire. It’s beautiful,” she said. “I’m sharing my heart with you today, my pain, because I carry it every day.”

tyler.searle@freepress.mb.ca