On Sept. 30, Canada marked the fifth annual National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. There are events scheduled in many of Canada’s larger centres, but in small communities as well. South Dundas is a perfect example, holding a ceremony at the Municipal building in Morrisburg. Following the ceremony, everyone in attendance was asked to gather for a group photo. Tinkess Photo

MORRISBURG – On Tues., Sept. 30, Canada marked the fifth annual National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. The day is a reminder each year of the tragedy of the Canadian residential school system, and the multi-generational damage done because of it. It is for those that suffered, and for the as many as 6,000 who never returned home that we recognize this date each year so that we might seek atonement, and so that nothing like this ever happens again.

There are events schedule in many of Canada’s larger centres, but in small communities as well. South Dundas is a perfect example, holding a ceremony at the Municipal building in Morrisburg.

In attendance were dignitaries such as Mayor Jason Broad, Deputy Mayor Marc St. Pierre, Stormont, Dundas, and South Glengarry MPP Nolan Quinn and South Dundas archivist Susan Peters. They were joined by other members of Council, municipal employees, students and teachers from St. Mary, St. Cecilia Catholic School and members of the public.

South Dundas CAO  Ben de Haan acted as master of ceremonies for the event and read the land acknowledgment before giving a brief history of what lead to Truth and Reconciliation, and how it was marked in South Dundas. He then invited Mayor Broad to say a few words.

Mayor Broad thanked the children for being there and stated the importance in learning about what happened in this area long before a European presence. He mentioned the orange bench which had been placed in front of the entrance to the Municipal building by the previous council.

“Our previous Council placed the bench in front of our municipal building so we can not only remember today and recognize it, but for every day,” said Mayor Broad. “Every day does matter. Every Child Matters. Thank you to all of my fellow Council team that are here today and everyone in attendance.”

Next to speak was MPP Quinn, who acknowledged the change in curriculum in Ontario schools, and the importance of students learning about a dark period in our country’s history.

“Take the opportunity today in your classes to really listen, listen to the mistakes that had and children that were exposed, similar to your age in that regard, and some of the problems they had to endure because of the mistakes at the residential school. So again, I commend South Dundas for doing this every year, including the students that are here, so that you’re part of remembering what happened at our residential schools.”

The final speaker was Susan Peters, South Dundas archivist. She spoke of what this area was like prior to the arrival of settlers in 1784. “So, we do know that from archaeological evidence that there were people living here, at least 2400 years ago, and they were called the woodland era. People, more specifically, point Peninsula.” She added that there might have been other settlements as well, but archaeological evidence had not been located to confirm this.

The ceremony concluded with everyone gathering for a photograph before returning to their regular activities, hopefully with something to consider, not just on Sept. 30, but throughout the year.