The City of Barrie's Press Release
(Barrie, ON) – The City of Barrie will commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation by supporting education and awareness opportunities among community members and City staff leading up to and on September 30, in collaboration with the Mamaway Wiidokdaadwin Primary Care Team of the Barrie Area Native Advisory Circle (BANAC), the Barrie Native Friendship Centre (BNFC), Red Quills, and the Barrie Public Library. Opportunities are as follows:
Flag Raising at City Hall (70 Collier Street) on September 27 at 9:30 a.m.
All are welcome to join the community for a flag raising. Representatives from the Barrie Native Friendship Centre, the Mamaway Wiidokdaadwin Primary Care Team of the Barrie Area Native Advisory Circle, Red Quills, the Barrie Public Library and the City of Barrie will be in attendance.
Sacred Fire and Sharing Circle at the Spirit Catcher (25 Simcoe Street) on September 30, sunrise to sunset (the Sunrise and Pipe Ceremony will start at approximately 6:30 a.m.)
The Sacred Fire and Sharing Circle hosted by the Barrie Native Friendship Centre will honour all who have been impacted by residential schools. Throughout the day, guests will join the circle to share their thoughts and experiences. All are welcome to reflect, offer a prayer, share stories, learn and heal together as a community. The Sunrise and Pipe Ceremony will be led by Jeff Monague, and the Fire Keeper will be Mshukwad Akiwenzie.
Holistic Village and Activities at the Spirit Catcher (25 Simcoe Street) on September 30 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The community is invited to learn more about the Indigenous organizations in the area, hosted by Red Quills. Activities for children will be hosted by the Barrie Public Library, including a Story Walk of The Orange Shirt Story by Phyllis Webstad, an orange shirt flag craft station and Every Child Matters button-making. The host drum will be Mixed Tribe led by Harley Wesley.
Every Child Matters Walk, departing from the Spirit Catcher (25 Simcoe Street) on September 30; gather at 4:45 p.m., depart at 5 p.m.
All are invited to show support, wear orange, and walk with members of the Indigenous community in commemoration of all who have been impacted by residential schools. The walk is hosted by the Mamaway Wiidokdaadwin Primary Care Team. It starts at the Spirit Catcher and goes to Centennial Park North and back along a path suitable for walkers of all ages.
The City of Barrie is also supporting City staff with resources and opportunities for learning, including virtual and in-person education sessions, the opportunity for staff to wear orange on September 30, cultural competency training to enhance cultural awareness of Indigenous peoples, and other educational resources.
For more information, visit “National Day for Truth and Reconciliation” via barrie.ca/events.
