I was happy to see many orange t-shirts today. While September 30 is not a statutory holiday, it is commendable that this day is observed by many.
Since I come from a region where truth and reconciliation are a painful reminder of a promise yet to be fulfilled, I began to wonder what this day means or should mean for newcomers or immigrants.
By accepting Canada as our homeland, we also acknowledge our duty to partake in the reconciliation process between Canada and its First Nations, Inuit and Métis. Immigrants make up 21.5% of the total population in Canada. There can be no reconciliation if newcomers, too, do not participate in this process.
As newcomers learn about their newfound homeland, it is important to take a moment and try to understand the incredibly rich traditions of our Indigenous peoples, what they had endured, and why we need The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. We are lucky that the largest First Nations reserve in Canada, Six Nations of the Grand River, is only 30min from Hamilton. The reserve offers a myriad of places that beautifully tell the stories of Haudenosaunee nations. Some of the places to visit are:
- Woodland Cultural Centre – Museum;
- Kayanase Greenhouse and Longhouse;
- H.M. Royal Chapel of the Mohawks;
- Chiefswood National Historic Site (currently closed due to renovations); and
- Six Nations Polytechnic.