WIRIWG to host vigil to honour the impact of residential schools
By Amanda Nelson
Sept. 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day in Canada.
The Wilmot Indigenous Relations Interfaith Working Group (WIRIWG) is holding a vigil at Trinity Lutheran Church, 23 Church St., New Hamburg, commencing at 5:30 p.m.
The vigil is for everyone to attend to honour the impact of residential schools on Indigenous communities in the region.
“Orange Shirt Day is to honour Indigenous children that went to residential school and promote awareness of what they went through,” said Gladys Bender, WIRIWG member. “There were thousands of children, and some of them didn't come home; so many of them didn't come home. That's a piece of history that is important for us to understand and that this continues to impact Indigenous people. There are still people living who experienced residential schools. It wasn’t about their education; it was about taking away their culture.”
The event will take place in the green space on Peel Street and will host speakers and opportunities for reflection.
WIRIWG members emphasize the importance of settlers acknowledging this day to remember past injustices and foster reconciliation, in line with the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation’s Calls to Action.
“I think it’s important for us as settlers to understand and to have empathy for what Indigenous people experienced and went through so that we can be good neighbours to them,” said Bender.
The WIRIWG fosters respectful, understanding relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities in the Waterloo Region. Their goal is to work towards reconciliation.
“The TRC (Truth and Reconciliation Commission) has 94 calls to action for churches, faith communities and schools,” said Bender. “This lets us understand the things that we can do to try to work towards hearing the truth and working towards reconciliation.”
Formed in collaboration with four Wilmot churches, the group aims to improve relationships between Indigenous Peoples and Canadians through educational events and community projects.
These efforts include creating a community blanket, presenting on Indigenous history and hiring an Indigenous Elder to support the cultural needs of local Indigenous residents.
All are welcome to attend the vigil on Sept. 30.
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