Town observes National Truth & Reconciliation Day

National Truth & Reconciliation Day events were held in King’s Navy Yard Park and at the Park House Museum last Saturday. Music was part of the event with drumming and singing in the gazebo in Navy Yard Park. Documentary screenings were held and Indigenous food was served at the Park House Museum with vendors in the park.

National Reconciliation Day is Sept. 30 but events to observe it occurred last weekend.

Events and activities were held in King’s Navy Yard Park and at the Park House Museum last Saturday with the River Bookshop also hosting a panel discussion (see related story on Page 6) regarding National Truth and Reconciliation.

Events and observations began just after 8 a.m., though not at any of the sites of the public activities. A prayer was observed on a vacant piece of land on Victoria St. S., in behind the Amherstburg Community Hub, that will house a new childcare facility being opened by the Ska:Na Family Learning Centre.

The zoning bylaw amendment was approved by town council at its Sept. 14 meeting.

“This has been a long journey,” said Faith Hale, executive director with the Ska:Na Family Learning Centre.

Hale said they are grateful to be able to build their new childcare facility next to the Amherstburg Community Hub and pointed out there is a waiting list in Amherstburg for families needing child care.

It will be one of the first Indigenous-led childcare facilities in the area, though all children will be welcome. 

Mayor Michael Prue said he was pleased to see it proceed, though noted he was not part of the discussions when the matter came before town council. Prue declared a conflict of interest as he is also on the Ska:Na board of directors and Deputy Mayor Chris Gibb chaired that portion of the meeting.

When matters shifted to King’s Navy Yard Park, Prue said the day was one of remembrance. He pointed out the atrocities that Indigenous Peoples faced from children taken from families and placed in residential schools, the killing of Indigenous women and girls, the oppression of Indigenous culture and more.

“It is a day we should never forget,” said Prue. “Today, we need to remember what happened in the past. We need to remember so it never happens again.”

Prue said he hopes to see a monument erected one day on the new Navy Yard Park waterfront plaza extension.

“We need to recognize First Nations were here long before anyone else,” said Prue.

There is significant history in the area, the mayor added. He attended the panel discussion, as did Gibb, later in the day.

Hale said the Truth and Reconciliation events had the support of a lot of businesses in Amherstburg. She added the day is about action, but also “about the community coming together.”

“Enjoy the day,” she told the group at opening ceremonies, “and remember you are loved.”

Town observes National Truth & Reconciliation Day

By Ron Giofu