TRC Week schedule set

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This article was published 20/09/2023 (1095 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

This year’s Truth and Reconciliation Week will kick off on Sept. 26 with a 7 a.m. sunrise ceremony where a sacred fire will be lit.

Event co-ordinator Alyssa Wowchuk, who took over organizing events after Brandon Urban Aboriginal People’s Council co-ordinator Michele LeTourneau departed for another job, told Brandon City Council on Monday that the Riverbank Discovery Centre is offering the use of its entire grounds for this year’s event.

According to Wowchuk, a planning committee made up of more than 20 people worked on arranging this year’s event.

After the lighting of the sacred fire on Sept. 26, the survivors’ flag will be raised at Brandon City Hall at 9 a.m. There will be a teepee-raising at 1 p.m. followed by sacred fire teachings being given at 6:30 p.m.

Aaron McKay will hold a session on Sept. 27 at 6 p.m. titled “The Land as a Teacher.” That same evening at 6 and 7 p.m., there will be an event called “Three Languages in Three Tipis” held by the Sixties Scoop Healing Centre with teachers speaking Cree, Dakota and Michif.

On Sept. 28, Brandon Public Library will read the book “The Orange Shirt Story” at 6:30 p.m. followed by conversations with residential school survivors at the All Nations Sharing Circle.

At the same time, another presentation will be given called “Drone & Tech and Traditional Wisdom” by Adam Subject and Darby Essie.

From 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sept. 28, the Sixties Scoop Healing Centre will hold a special session of its regularly scheduled beading group at the Riverbank Discovery Centre with anyone interested welcome to join them.

Friday, Sept. 29 will see Eugene Ross give a presentation at 6:30 p.m. about traditional Dakota foods and medicines.

Sept. 30 is the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. Wowchuk said there was an effort to expand programming for that occasion this year.

At 10 a.m., there will be a session about orange shirts and truth and reconciliation at the Fusion Credit Union Stage. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., there will be an Indigenous arts area set up on the grounds in tents.

Sioux Valley Dakota Nation Chief Jennifer Bone and Brandon Mayor Jeff Fawcett will provide introductory remarks for the occasion at 1 p.m., with participants marching to the site of the former Brandon Indian Residential School on Grand Valley Road at 2 p.m.

There will be an event called “Healing by the River” at 5 p.m., followed by an evening of Indigenous ceremony and celebration.

On Oct. 1, the last day, the arts area will be open again from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be a blanket exercise at 10 a.m. and closing ceremonies at 2 p.m.

Last year, there was one day earmarked for school programming related to the event. This year, there will be three days for school programming, with Rolling River School Division and Southwest Horizon School Division joining Brandon School Division in sending students.

On Sept. 27, 28 and 29, students will learn about bannock, powwows, firekeeping, teepees, beading, Red River carts, and will also hear stories.

For more information on Truth and Reconciliation Week, follow BUAPC’s accounts on Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).

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» X: @ColinSlark