Hundreds honour truth and reconciliation in Brandon

A residential school survivor says she was inspired by the hundreds of people who came to the Riverbank Discovery Centre in Brandon to honour the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Tuesday.

Liz Denton, who attended Sandy Bay Residential School in the 1950s and ’60s, said it touched her deeply to see so many people come out in support of the national holiday.

“It’s a great pleasure to come here and see these people,” Denton said from the heart of the events at the Discovery Centre.

“I feel special,” she said. “I feel honoured because I am a survivor.”

Denton told the Sun she was surprised to learn that almost everyone she met was a supporter, rather than a survivor.

There’s a positive movement toward truth and reconciliation, she said. The large turnout on Tuesday, and a respectful phone call from her grandchildren, were convincing.

“They’re really starting to recognize what we went through. And I really appreciate that,” Denton said. “I really appreciate the people that come and go.”

Roughly 800 people attended at the height of the day on Tuesday, Natasha Marion, a member of the Brandon Urban Aboriginal Peoples’ Council, told the Sun. The rising numbers in recent years indicate that people are showing greater interest in the issue, she said.

“People are starting to be aware, more mindful of the stories that are on this land,” Marion said. “I think this shows that Brandon is moving forward and walking together in a good way.

“This week is a powerful reminder.”

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation events in Brandon this year centred around a seven-kilometre walk that drew hundreds of people to the site of the former Brandon Indian Residential School.

Several dignitaries put the walk into context ahead of time, with words from a group that included Manitoba Métis Federation Minister Will Goodon, Municipal and Northern Relations Minister Glen Simard (Brandon East) and Brandon City Coun. Bruce Luebke (Ward 6), who is also a BUAPC member.

“I hope everybody takes something away from the day, whether that’s acknowledgment of the past or a good path to move forward together,” Luebke said to the hundreds of people, dressed in orange, who were gathered at the Riverbank Discovery Centre.

Goodon said that unity and awareness were key to the day.

“This is how we heal, this is how we come together as a community,” he said.

The crowd walked down Grand Valley Road to the residential school site, which is just outside of Brandon off 34th Street.

Sioux Valley Dakota Nation unity riders were on site, on horseback, to greet walkers. Chief Vince Tacan told the Sun the event successfully bridges the past with the present.

“The event is a connection to the history of our people that lived through that experience,” Tacan said. “It was good to pay tribute to them and their enduring spirit.”

The turnout at the former residential school was a positive, and community support seems to be growing, Tacan said.

Other events of the day included drumming, a free lunch, archery lessons, food trucks and healing by the river. The day was co-ordinated by BUAPC as part of its week dedicated to truth and reconciliation.

Marion said the council is thrilled with how the day went. She said BUAPC may look to incorporate new events going forward, such as hide scraping and fish filleting.

» cmcdowell@brandonsun.com