Flag raising a reminder that ‘Every Child Matters’

A small crowd gathered in Harmony Square in Brantford the morning of September 23, a week ahead of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

The people – who included Indigenous community members, members of local government, and local service agencies like Lansdowne Children’s Centre – were there to raise a flag that carried the message ‘Every Child Matters,’ and to take a few moments to commemorate the tragic history and lasting impacts of the residential school system in Canada on Indigenous people over multiple generations.

Brantford Mayor Kevin Davis noted that the Mohawk Institute Residential School – which now houses Woodland Cultural Centre – was Canada’s longest-running residential school.

Woodland Executive Director Heather George spoke about the years-long Save the Evidence campaign, which preserved the former Mohawk Institute building from ruin.

Today, the site serves as a space for visitors to learn and share the history and contemporary cultures of Indigenous people of the Great Lakes region, while also giving space for recognition and support for those who were impacted by the residential school system: those who lost their lives, the Survivors, and their families.

“We will never forget,” George said.

Sherlene Bomberry was also a speaker at the event; she shared her perspective as both a Survivor of the Mohawk Institute and a board member of the Survivors’ Secretariat. 

Afterwards, she said she especially appreciated hearing Elder PH Hill’s address, which was presented in the Cayuga language.

Staff members from EarlyON’s Six Nations Family Gatherings participated in the ceremony, and afterwards, the organization’s Harmony Square site hosted a reception.

WOODLAND CULTURAL CENTRE

The official unveiling of the Woodland Cultural Centre is taking place on Tuesday, Sept. 30.

In his remarks, Mayor Davis noted that he had had a chance to take a preview tour of the site, and highly recommended that everyone make a point to visit the site, whether on Sept. 30 or another time, citing how emotional and impactful the experience is.

For more information about the site, visit woodlandculturalcentre.ca

GOODMINDS.COM

For its September newsletter, Lansdowne Children’s Centre asked GoodMinds.com, a First Nation owned business in Brantford that is a leading source of First Nations, Inuit, Metis and Native American books and resources for readers, communities, schools and libraries, to recommend some titles to help staff and client families better understand the significance of the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, also known as Orange Shirt Day, and the generational impact of the residential school system in Canada, through the works of Indigenous writers and illustrators. Click here to see the book recommendations.