x

By Nathan Jordan

Truth & Reconciliation Day

Truth & Reconciliation Day Ceremony at Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park draws in huge crowd

Oct 1, 2022 | 10:25 AM

PRINCE GEORGE – It was a solemn day of remembrance, with a noticeable sense of pride and celebration at Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park Friday afternoon. All creeds, colours, and cultures of Prince George came out, all clad in orange shirts, to attend the Truth & Reconciliation Day ceremony put on by volunteers from the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation, on the site of their ancestral village on the banks of the Fraser River. Event Organizer, and Métis ally, Jen Rubadeau, was moved to tears as she spoke about the success of the ceremony.

“It was pretty phenomenal, it was a sea of orange out there today, it was very touching. We got to hear a lot of really important words from survivors, and intergenerational survivors, about the impacts of colonialism on our community as a whole, and on Indigenous peoples” – Jen Rubadeau

The band-shell lawn was packed as close to one thousand attendees descended on Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park to honor residential school survivors, and their families. The agenda included drum circle performances, a jingle dress dancer, and speeches from community elders, like Lejac Residential School Survivor, Clifford Quaw, who spoke of the healing that happened there.

“It lifted my heart to watch them, you know, that they came to listen to me, an actual survivor, tell them about the stories of how I overcame Residential School Syndrome, and also alcoholism. I’m trying to be a role model to them, if i can do this, so can they ” -Clifford Quaw

CHIEFS 4 SPRUCE KINGS 0

Spruce Kings eliminated from BCHL playoffs

5m ago

Fire

One killed, another injured following gas plant fire north of Fort St John

13h ago

Safety Committee gets an education on retail crime

14h ago

Also in attendance, was Lheidli T’enneh First Nation councillor Joshua Seymour, grandson of Residential School Survivor, Richard Allen Seymour. Councillor Seymour, spoke plainly about the dark mandate of the residential school system, and it’s goal of cultural genocide, but pride swelled in his voice, as he declared that Lheidli T’enneh First Nation would stand strong, continuing to heal and prosper as they reclaim their Indigenous identities.

“I’d like people to understand that this is a part of our history, and a chapter of the canadian story, but to understand that it’s not ending here. The goal of those schools were to basically eradicate indigenous people, and eradicate our culture… but i think today, we’re on an upswing to understanding our culture, and who we are, and are adding to the Indigenous people of Canada” – Joshua Seymour