Nearly 100 people gathered on Friday for a Truth and Reconciliation Walk organized by the Westminster Affirm Team. The group congregated in Civic Park and paused for a photo opportunity at the Kevin PeeAce mural at City Hall. The walk proceeded alongside Highway 20, ending at Westminster United Church with a gathering, bannock, and messages brought by the Affirm Team.
“This is a day of mourning - mourning lost children, families, culture and trust of the Indigenous community,” said Michele Ackerman of the Affirm Team at the gathering. “The emotions we feel today are confusing. We feel sad, guilty, ashamed, and loss. But we also feel that we didn’t do this - someone else did. That we live in a beautiful country and enjoy freedoms that are so hard to find in this world.”
In her address, Ackerman went on to confirm that settlers were not given the land for their exclusive use and that the descendants of those settlers need to remember that what we enjoy now has come at a price.
Allison Sarauer with the Affirm Team presented a prayer entitled “A Child Shall Lead Us.” Sarauer took the audience through the events in the life of Phyllis Webstadt, whose experiences at the St. Joseph Indian Residential School near Williams Lake, BC, ultimately led to the orange shirt becoming a symbol for the loss of children and the restorative efforts.
Those in attendance enjoyed the refreshment and the time to gather and reflect. Attendees could also browse through the substantial library of books, pamphlets, posters, maps and other materials assembled at the church for the event.
Thu, Apr 25, 9:00 AM
Agriculture, Transport, Full-time, Seasonal
