By Joanne Rodgers,
Bruce Peninsula Press
Students and community members from the Northern Bruce Peninsula attended the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation held in Wiarton on 30 September 2025.
Students of the Peninsula Shores District School (PSDS) in Wiarton, Bruce Peninsula District School (BPDS) in Lion’s Head and community members from Neyaashiinigmiing, South Bruce and Northern Bruce joined in a community walk. The walk started from the grounds of PSDS and stopped at the Town Hall where they were addressed by Darlene Johnston, Chief of the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation.
Chief Johnston spoke of the separation from family and hardships experienced by Nawash Children who were sent to a Residential School in Spanish, Ontario. The Chief says “it was wonderful to see the sea of orange” and to commemorate this day with the young people gives her “a heart filled with joy”. Chief Johnston stated that there must be “truth before reconciliation” and the need to recognize the impact on Nawash ancestors, the current community members and future generations.
The group then walked to Bluewater Park where attendees listened to speeches and the reading of the survivors names and observed a moment of silence.
Nine year old Nawash member and PSDS student Erica talked about the significance of ‘Orange Shirt Day’ which is inspired by the story of Phyllis Webstad, whose new orange shirt was taken from her on her first day at a residential school in 1973. Erica explained that “indigenous children were forcefully taken from their homes and sent to residential schools where many faced unimaginable hardships including physical, emotional, spiritual and sexual abuses and even death… These children suffered from loss of language, culture and identity.”
Erica continued on a more positive note, saying “the Orange Shirt has become a beacon of hope and reconciliation reminding us of the importance of acknowledging the past and working towards a more just future … let us recommit to the journey of reconciliation acknowledging the past while building a brighter future for all.”
The audience was invited to participate in a round dance for unity and then to visit the various demonstration booths to learn about indigenous cultural skills, teachings and history.
