First Nations leaders speak at an event in Nanaimo for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Friday, Sept. 30. (Kyle Ireland/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

residential schools

‘We’re here for those that never made it home:’ Nanaimo reflects during National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Sep 30, 2022 | 12:50 PM

NANAIMO — It was another chance to stop, listen, learn and reflect.

A large crowd packed the Rotary Bowl and surrounding stadium district off Third St. in Nanaimo for the second annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Friday, Sept. 30.

Bill Yoachim, acting chief of Snuneymuxw First Nation told the crowd of over 1,000 gathered during his opening remarks, the day was a chance to further cement ever-growing partnerships.

‘We want to share our commitment and share the lands with you that you’ll reside on. We’re here for the heavy subject of history, we’re here for those that never made it home and we’re here for those that survived the horrors of residential school.”

Yoachim then called for a moment of silence with the crowd gathered to remember those lost and those who survived.

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The event brought a lot of mixed emotions from the crowd, from a variety of different cultural backgrounds, in attendance. Some were crying and hugging, others were intently listening and learning.

Cultural performances, family activities and other events were held throughout the late morning and early afternoon.

Yvonne Rigsby-Jones spoke during the opening ceremonies, calling for more awareness and a commitment to grow together.

‘We’re asking today to not make wearing an orange shirt a one day event. But to really know and understand that living with kindness and compassion really needs to be every day.”

She also spoke about the damage residential schools have done to Indigenous people and culture.

The system in place across Canada between the mid 1800’s to as recently as 1996 created intergenerational trauma for parents and grandparents who lost children, those directly taken, and their future descendants.

“Residential schools were invented to break down the family structure of our Indigenous people and it did a pretty good job,” Rigsby-Jones said. “For many years now we’ve been working hard and recovering. Many, many families have done a really good job, our education levels have really recovered.”

Friday’s event was the first since the formal apology on Canadian soil earlier this year from Pope Francis for the Catholic churches role in Canada’s residential schools.

An apology from the church was among many of the steps called for by First Nations leaders during the first National Day in 2021.

Last year’s event was held at Maffeo Sutton Park, where a massive welcome pole was placed at the entrance.

Hundreds lined the track and grandstand at the Rotary Bowl in Nanaimo to hear from speakers, during an event on Friday, Sept. 30. (Kyle Ireland/NanaimoNewsNOW)

— with files from Kyle Ireland, NanaimoNewsNOW

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