Stories, land acknowledgement at Truth & Reconciliation ceremonies in Oshawa and Scugog this week

Both Oshawa and Scugog will get a jump on Monday’s National Day of Truth and Reconciliation with special events this week, with the City of Oshawa raising the Survivor’s Flag at a ceremony Thursday morning.

Oshawa Mayor Dan Carter will proclaim the significance of the day, the resilience of the survivors of residential schools and their families, the spirit of First Nations people and “building on our collective understanding through education, conversation and celebration.”
Jenn Niles, Michi Saagiig Anishinaabe Kwe and a cultural advisor from Alderville First Nation, will join Carter at 10:30 a.m. to provide a welcoming smudge and some words on the importance of reconciliation. Youth from the Durham District School Board will also take the podium to describe what Reconciliation means to them.

The following day Scugog Township will host local school children for a free community event (1 p.m.) in the park north of the boat launch in downtown Port Perry, with the rain location set for the Scugog Community Recreation Centre.

This event will display artwork from local students on ‘What the MSIFN means to me,’ see the unveiling of a land acknowledgment plaque at the Pollinator Garden (weather permitting) and a museum exhibit of Indigenous artifacts. There will also be greetings from Mayor Wilma Wotten and Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation Councillor Jeff Forbes.

The Palmer Park gazebo will also be lit up orange in recognition and flags at town hall will be lowered to commemorate the victims of residential schools.