Hundreds walk for Orange Shirt Day

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 01/10/2024 (582 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Hundreds of people braved heavy winds as the Orange Shirt Day Walk kicked off the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Brandon on Monday afternoon.

“The turnout was commendable,” Truth and Reconciliation Week assistant co-ordinator Shannon Saltarelli told the Sun.

About 200 people participated in the long walk from the Riverbank Discovery Centre to the former Brandon Residential School site and back, while others took a shorter route.

The long route “is significant as it allows participants to reflect on the history and trauma associated with residential schools as they retrace the journey,” Saltarelli said.

“Most people that participated in the short walk are elders and Knowledge Keepers, among others walking around the riverbank. This route is more accessible for people who may not be able to walk longer distances but still want to be part of the event.”

Both routes, she said, were designed to be inclusive, providing participants with different levels of physical challenge while connecting them to the theme of reconciliation.

“No matter which walk people choose, the focus remains on honouring the survivors and educating the community about the past,” she said.

“This is our fourth year hosting the walk, and it’s grown into a weeklong series of events. We aim to foster understanding and community engagement, paving the way for true reconciliation.”

Saltarelli added many attendees expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to participate in the walk and enjoy a warm barbecue meal after the event.

The day began with a sunrise ceremony led by Elder Frank Tacan, which included a pipe ceremony and the lighting of a sacred fire, a ritual in Indigenous culture.

Elders and Knowledge Keepers played a central role in making the day a journey toward understanding Indigenous culture and history, as they shared their stories with attendees and provided an opportunity to connect with the past.

Debbie Kuehne, a residential school survivor and Knowledge Keeper, said the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is not just about educating others — it’s a personal and emotional healing experience.

“The healing process for me is ongoing,” Kuehne said. “My mother, a residential school survivor, lost two sisters while in the school, and these family traumas still ripple through my life. There are things about her experience that trigger me, like that sense of loneliness.”

Despite the painful memories, Kuehne finds solace in sharing her story and helping others understand the brutal reality of residential schools.

“It never gets easier, but being able to share my story helps,” she added.

Grant Armstrong, who has spent years travelling across Canada and the United States, taught children and adults alike about the traditional Métis lifestyle.

“I’m not a Knowledge Keeper, but it’s a lifestyle we grew up in,” Armstrong said in an interview. “In the Turtle Mountains of southern Manitoba, the Métis community thrived, living a simple, connected life. My wife and I have preserved this way of living by collecting and using historical items like old stoves, frying pans and kettles, helping bridge generational gaps by showing today’s children how their grandparents lived.”

At events, Armstrong displays these items to younger generations, providing hands-on experience of Métis history.

“We try to relive this lifestyle, not for ourselves, but to show people, especially the young, what it was like. The importance of preserving this history is not just about nostalgia, but about equipping future generations with the knowledge they can carry forward. They can continue with it or move away from it, but they have the knowledge,” he said.

“The young ones are especially amazed to see how people used to live. They get to see a real stove, learn about how clothes were washed by hand, and hear stories about life in the Turtle Mountains. For them, it’s like stepping into another world.”

Kuehne also described her deep ties to the traditional items on display during the event.

“I love being in here,” she said, referring to Armstrong’s tents filled with old tools and household items. For her, these items serve as reminders of her northern Ontario upbringing.

Debbie Huntinghawk, another Knowledge Keeper and the first generation in her family not to attend residential school shared her story, highlighting the lingering effects of trauma and the hope for healing.

“My dad was in residential school, and so were my grandparents. My mom was part of the Sixties Scoop. She went to three different foster homes, was adopted and spent four years in a sanatorium,” Huntinghawk said.

On her healing process, she added, “It’s slow … There are triggers, but days like today bring hope. I was sober for 27 years and I bring my children and grandchildren here to help with the healing … There’s big healing coming.”

The day concluded with a free barbecue lunch provided by the Men’s Resource Centre.

Other activities slated for Monday afternoon, including cultural performances, were postponed to Friday afternoon due to the adverse weather conditions but the Healing by the River event will still be held on Friday afternoon.

Upcoming events throughout the week include a pedal ceremony at Dinsdale Park on Friday to commemorate Sisters in Spirit Day, dedicated to recognizing missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.

» aodutola@brandonsun.com

» X: @AbiolaOdutola