Fellowship, remembrance, reflection, understanding at Âsokêwin Friendship Centre on Orange Shirt Day

Friendship Centre marks National Day
of Truth and Reconciliation

By Diane Spoor
Staff Reporter

Nearly 100 people joined in fellowship at the Âsokêwin Friendship Centre on Tuesday, Sept. 30, for National Day of Truth and Reconciliation.

Executive director Mel Turatus said Orange Shirt Day is a day not only to reflect but also for fellowship and being together in community. Turatus spoke of her own family’s history with residential schools and how that can lead to complicated relationships. She said she has “spent an entire career understanding intergenerational trauma and how it affects community.”

Elder Marion Osborne also addressed the crowd.

“We thank the creator for bringing us together in reflection and understanding. We ask the creator for guidance and strength to share our stories, to answer the hard questions. We ask the creator to open our minds and hearts as we pray for those found and still unfound. We also pray for those that survived and the struggles they endure.” 

Staff from Parks Canada then served a lunch of soup and bannock before Âsokêwin staff led the youth and children in different activities including story time and making dream catchers.