A number of people gathered in front of Victoria Hall in Cobourg on Canada Day to honour and remember the loss of Indigenous children from residential schools.
Ziigwanbinesii Charles was one of the organizers of the ceremony said, “it was really beautiful that the community came together and brought teddy bears, moccasins and flowers and acknowledged what First Nations people are experiencing right now which is a lot of grief and loss.”
A number of songs were played at the event and First Nations people spoke of their pain at how they have been treated growing up in communities – even Cobourg.
“I think that most Canadians should be angered at the fact they never got taught the true history. And I ask all Canadians to do their own research and to find out what took place and what was hidden.”
Charles said her family grew up in Cobourg and some of the stories that she was told be her relatives, painted a different light on what most people know about the town.
But on July 1, on Canada Day – “it was really good to see acceptance, to see solidarity.”
With what has taken place finding the unmarked graves of children who attended residential schools, Charles said, it was hurtful that nobody listened to Indigenous people when they told them about missing children.
“So when will Canadians start to listen?”
“In my experience today and in the past couple of weeks I’ve seen a lot of beautiful things and I think that needs to keep going and I think Canadians need to make a commitment to First Nations people.”
Councillors Adam Bureau and Nicole Beatty were the only representatives from council that attended the ceremony.
“I think today’s ceremony is so meaningful to create awareness for what had happened to Indigenous children in the past,” said Bureau.
“Having this ceremony on Canada Day is such a good representation of creating awareness that all of Canada has to be treated equal.”
“This is why it’s so important that these vigils in order to share with the world that we need to do something and make a change.”
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
