Residents of Stettler came together on Sept. 30 for the National Day for Truth & Reconciliation.
The day began with a flag raising at the town office of an “Every Child Matters” flag. A memorial circle & walk was then held down Main Street for the fourth year in a row.
The schedule included a variety of activities hosted at the Stettler Public Library & the HUB at the Stettler Recreation Centre.
Storytelling sessions & educational talks were given about the history & ongoing impacts of residential schools.
A question & answer session gave survivors & community members a chance to share & ask questions about residential schools.
Following a bannock lunch, participants joined in a drum circle, which included a moment of silence at 2:15 p.m.
A medicine talk & dream catcher class followed, alongside children’s activities at the library.
The day was organized by the Stettler Friendship Circle, Alberta Culture Days, & the County & Town of Stettler.
The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, was created in 2021 to honour residential school survivors & the children who never returned home.
Orange Shirt Day began in 2013 after Phyllis Webstad shared her story of having her orange shirt taken on her first day at a residential school in British Columbia.
Author: Landin Chambers
Landin Chambers is a news reporter for Hometown Media Stettler. He has a background in broadcast news, with previous roles in Prince George, Red Deer and Calgary. You may also see him as a cameraman for the Stettler Wildcats and Stettler Imperials. Have a story idea? Email: lchambers@htproductionsmedia.ca
