By Joanne Rodgers, Bruce Peninsula Press
On 30 September 2023, the neighbouring communities were invited to commemorate National Truth and Reconciliation Day alongside the Nawash Community at Cape Croker Park, Neyaashiinigmiing.
Billed as the Nawash Fall Festival, the event was sponsored by The Nawash Community Helpers’ Group and Partnering Programs. Organizers say they considered how best to “walk together and grow in relationship with one another.” They decided to host an event around the language, culture, knowledge and history and to invite everyone to come and join in.
This is the third year that the Northern Bruce Peninsula has joined with their neighbouring First Nation community. The first year the “Every Child Matters” event was held in Lion’s Head, last year the event was commemorated at Neyaashiinigmiing. This year, the event returned to Neyaashiinigmiing.
Turning the park grounds into a sea of Orange Shirts, several hundred people of all generations from the Nawash, Northern Bruce and South Bruce Peninsula communities came together for the event. Organizer Deidre Millar says she is extremely pleased that so many people accepted the invitation to come to the event.
Residential School Survivor and Nawash Elder Norma Ann Robson shared stories of her experience attending Residential School. Two Nawash youths explained the meaning of the Orange Shirt, telling the story of six year old Phyllis Jack Webstad whose orange shirt and other clothing was taken away from her on the first day she attended St. Joseph’s Mission Residential School near Williams Lake B.C. They remind us that we wear the Orange Shirt in an Act Of Reconciliation and Remembrance.
Everyone was invited to walk in unity through the shade of the Maple trees surrounding the Park. Millar says it is symbolic of the way forward, at times the path way through the Maples will become narrow and we will have to walk closely together. She challenged everyone to meet someone new, engage in conversation and emerge from the Walk knowing something new about that person or persons.
After the formal program, the attendees enjoyed a meal together, hot dogs, burgers, soup, pasta and cake. There were demonstrations on making corn soup, tanning of hides and beading. There were crafts for kids, games such as indigenous leg wrestling and horse wagon rides.
Attendees say the event had a welcoming vibe. Many from the neighbouring communities said that they appreciated the invitation to spend the afternoon at Cape Croker Park and learn more about the culture and history of their First Nation Neighbours. A Nawash Elder said they were pleased that so many are willing to stand with them and are interested in learning about what they went through and continue to go through due to Residential Schools and the impact on their community.
