It was a sea of orange along County Road 45 on Tuesday, September 30, 2025 as hundreds of people took part in National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Wearing orange shirts starting at 11 a.m. at The Child & Family Wellbeing Building on Minnetonka Road the walk proceeded north on County Road 45 to the Alderville Community Centre.
Along the way there were signs along the roadway depicting the effects of residential schools on indigenous youths.
Alderville First Nation Chief Chief Taynar Simpson also spoke to the hundreds in attendance from Alderville and beyond about the suffering endured from residential schools.
“This day is where we remember and honour the children were stolen and taken away to residential schools – many never made it back. So we are not only honouring the survivors, but those who never came home.”
Northumberland-Clarke MP Philip Lawrence added that, “it memorializes forever the inner generational trauma that indigenous people felt in our Country because of residential school.”
Orange Shirt Day was inspired by the story of Phyllis Webstad, whose orange shirt was taken from her on her first day at a residential school.
Across Canada, government buildings will be lit in orange, and many will wear orange shirts as we honour survivors, families and communities.
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
