FEO, October 12, 2023, VOL. 5 ISSUE 3

On Friday, September 29th, the community of Fort Erie came together at Mather Arch to participate in the Third Annual Unity Walk in honor of Truth and Reconciliation, which falls on September 30th. This significant day is dedicated to acknowledging the history and legacy of residential schools and paying tribute to the survivors, as well as remembering the children who never returned home.

The event drew hundreds of participants, including members of the Indigenous community, students from the District School Board of Niagara (DSBN) and Niagara Catholic schools, town representatives, elders, children, and residents from the local community. The participants wore orange shirts, creating a powerful and symbolic sea of orange as they marched down Garrison Road, ultimately converging at the Fort Erie Native Friendship Centre.

The Fort Erie Native Friendship Centre hosted a presentation that featured speakers, drumming, and songs. Jennifer Dockstader, the executive director of the center, emphasized the importance of never allowing the painful history of residential schools to resurface in the country. She expressed gratitude to everyone for their contributions to positive change, stating, “We are changing the country, and you all are a part of it.”

Jordan White Eye, a speaker and the son of a residential school survivor underscored the day’s significance as a day of unity and acceptance. He described it as a day of unconditional love that brings nations together.

The event received generous support and sponsorship from various organizations, including Meridian Credit Union, the District School Board of Niagara, the Niagara Catholic School Board, Rankin Construction, and the Town of Fort Erie. Additionally, the Niagara Regional Police (NRP) and the Fort Erie Fire Department were on hand, ensuring the safety of the event.

The ceremony concluded with the placement of wreaths in a small garden in front of the Fort Erie Native Friendship Centre. This garden serves as a memorial to the children who lost their lives and those who survived residential schools. Attendees were invited to take a moment to remember those who did not make it home. The Mulland family made a heartfelt donation of 300 orange roses to those in attendance, adding a poignant touch to the event.

For more information about the Fort Erie Native Friendship Centre and its initiatives, please visit www.fenfc.org.

The significance of the orange shirt, now associated with Truth and Reconciliation Day, originated with Phyllis Webstad, a survivor of Saint Joseph Mission Residential School near Williams Lake, B.C. In 1973, at the age of six, Phyllis was given a new “shiny” orange shirt by her grandmother. However, upon her arrival at the school, her own clothes were taken from her, including her beloved orange shirt. Phyllis courageously shared her story in 2013 at the St. Joseph Mission (SJM) Residential School Commemoration Project in Williams Lake, B.C. This pivotal moment led to the creation of Orange Shirt Day, which has since become a symbol of remembrance and reconciliation.

For additional information about Orange Shirt Day and its mission, please visit orangeshirtday.org