The ‘Every Child Matters Flag’ is now flying at Dryden City Hall for the month of September.
City officials and community leaders gathered on Friday for a ceremony and to raise the flag at half mast.
“This flag, like the orange shirt is our statement of solidarity with Indigenous communities who have grieved and continue to grieve the loss of their children and their grandchildren to residential schools,” said Mayor Greg Wilson.
Executive Director of the Dryden Native Friendship Centre Cheryl Edwards says the recognition will help Indigenous communities and families continue to heal.
Staff Photo
“When discussing truth and reconciliation, I believe Dryden has been genuinely invested in this. Moving forward I do anticipate a lot of cooperation, especially dealing with supportive issues for not only Indigenous people but for non-Indigenous people as well.”
Edwards continues, “Education and understanding is happening. As a people, we are healing and that is going to take some time. We have still endured a number of years of oppression and we have to move forward through that and we are moving forward. That healing has to be determined by us, as Indigenous people and that timeframe is also very individual. We hope that residents understand that and by all means come into the Friendship Centre, come learn about some of our people, meet some people, be involved. The Friendship Centre is not only about Indigenous people, it’s about community and we do our absolute best to help everyone.”
Orange Shirt Day is September 30 and for the first time will be recognized as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Edwards says it also serves as a reminder for not only the loss they’ve faced but also the interruption of their culture and language that they are now regaining.
Left to Right: Councillor Shayne MacKinnon, Cheryl Edwards and Henry Wall with the Kenora District Services Board.
“We’re still fortunate to have some of our elders that has attended residential school and we encourage them to share their story, with the proper supports because it does bring up a lot of memories. For many they’re still waiting for accountability from not only the government but another partner that was very involved with how these (residential) schools ran and that is the Catholic Church. So, I’m hoping that we do see some accountability in the near future.”
Plans are in the works for a community walk to Cooper Park on Orange Shirt Day.
