First-time attendees embrace Indigenous culture

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This article was published 01/10/2024 (551 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The winds may have been fierce, but the spirits of the hundreds gathered at Riverbank Discovery Centre for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation remained undeterred as newcomers to the event immersed themselves in the rich history and traditions of Indigenous culture.

For many attendees, this was their first time participating, and the experience left a lasting impression.

Brittany McLeod, visiting from Killarney with her family, shared her enthusiasm about her first time attending the reconciliation events in Brandon.

“Despite the wind, I’m impressed with the turnout,” she told the Sun. “The resilience of those who braved the elements shows several people want to learn and care about history.”

McLeod, whose heritage traces back to Treaty 1, came seeking education about Treaty 2 and was moved by what she learned, particularly the history of Brandon’s residential school.

“This is something that needs to be talked about more in Manitoba and Canada,” McLeod said. “I never knew Brandon has a residential school.”

She said her connection to this history runs deep, as her mother was a Sixties Scoop survivor from Sagkeeng First Nation. “It is important to pass down such knowledge to my son and that is the reason I brought him down, so that future generations remain connected to their heritage.”

Assiniboine College student Seyi Akinsanya, another first-time participant, said Monday was one of her best days since she arrived in Brandon last month.

“Growing up in Nigeria, I was unaware of the history of residential schools in Canada. Being part of the walk and learning made me realize how important it is to stand in solidarity with Indigenous Peoples and acknowledge their experiences,” she said. “No matter where we come from, we all have a responsibility to learn and contribute to the reconciliation process.”

For Knowledge Keeper Debbie Huntinghawk, who has witnessed generations of her family suffer through the residential school system and the Sixties Scoop, the week provides a sense of healing.

“Seeing newcomers, migrants and children ask questions — it feels good, she said. “The true stories are finally being told, helping us heal. I hope more residential school survivors will come forward to share their stories in the coming years.”

Truth and Reconciliation Week assistant co-ordinator Shannon Saltarelli said she was excited to see hundreds of people, including newcomers and children, seeing the importance of education in reconciliation efforts.

“These days are about learning, especially for all people to understand the atrocity of Canada’s history and how colonization’s impact still lingers in today’s systems,” Saltarelli said.

Despite the windy weather, which posed safety concerns and led to the temporary removal of some teepees, the event saw a strong turnout.

Saltarelli expressed appreciation for the volunteers, many of whom were newcomers to Brandon, including those from Westman Immigration Services, who supported the event despite the challenges posed by the weather.

“We had several participants jump in to help secure tents and displays,” she said. “Brandon is a multicultural place, and seeing people from different backgrounds come together to learn and support each other during Truth and Reconciliation Week is encouraging.”

With more events planned throughout the week, including a walk for missing and murdered Indigenous men and boys on Wednesday, and a final day of healing and feasting at the river, “we remain hopeful that the community’s engagement will only grow,” she said.

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