First Canadian National Day of Truth and Reconciliation
Thursday September 30, 2021
We gathered at the Newton Medicine Wheel at 2:15pm PDT Thursday September 30 for the First Canadian National Day of Truth and Reconciliation to drum for the children.
It was the wish of the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc, from Kamloops, where the first 215 plus unmarked graves of indigenous children and babies were uncovered in June of this year, to involve the world in recognizing the first Canadian National Day of Truth and Reconciliation.
It was a time to pause, reflect, send prayers, light a candle and drum the Tk’emlups te Secwepmec honour song for all the children.
A time for tying Orange Ribbons for the children whose unmarked graves have been found in Kamloops, Manitoba and other residential school sites, for all the children who died in the residential schools, and for all those who were forced to attend and for all the loving relatives from who’s arms they were taken.
May we remember and find new and greater ways to walk in truth and reconciliation.
Please stop by the PLOT sharing garden and Newton Medicine Wheel to add an orange ribbon with your caring thoughts and prayers.
Prompted by the grief she was witnessing and feeling, Shayla Dawn Szabo, a Surrey Artist, PLOT Sharing Garden and Newton Medicine Wheel volunteer created three watercolors to honour the babies and children.
These paintings are being offered as prizes for a raffle with all monies going to the Indian Residential School Survivors Society.
The draw will be held on September 30 2021, National Day of Truth and Reconciliation
Tickets are $5 each or 3 for $10
The 2021 Summer Solstice Ceremony was dedicated to honouring the children. Led by Cree Elder and founder of Newton Medicine Wheel, Grandma Amy Eustergurling, we gathered round a mandala of 215 cedar bundles, created not just for the 215 plus, but for all the children and all the families and communities affected by the atrocities of the residential schools. Healing prayers with love to grow awareness as we move into a deeper truth and reconciliation. Honouring all our indigenous families and friends on National Indigenous Peoples Day June 21/21. With Great Love from the PLOT Sharing Garden. Gratitude to all the Grandmothers, Mothers, Sisters, and Aunties who tied prayers, cedar, sage and flowers into the bundles leading up to the ceremony. To all the men who supported the process.
