National Day For Truth and Reconciliation will be observed with October 2 event in Bridgewater

NATIONAL DAY FOR TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION
>>> Public event to take place in Bridgewater on October 2, 2023

The National Day For Truth and Reconciliation is September 30. A special event is once again being planned by Acadia First Nation and members of the Mi'kmaq community in Bridgewater to recognize the significance of this day, and the Town of Bridgewater is proud to be a supporting partner for the event.

The public is invited to come to Pijinuiskaq Park on King Street in Downtown Bridgewater on Monday, October 2, 2023, beginning at 11 a.m. to participate in an educational and interactive experience that will amplify the voices of Indigenous people.

The event schedule, subject to change, will include:

11:00 a.m. to 12 noon

➡ Live music from Thomas O'Leary (A youth from Wasoqopa'q First Nation)

➡ Interactive experiences including a table set up for a Waltes, a Mi'kmaq game: https://www.cbu.ca/indigenous-affairs/mikmaq-resource-centre/miscellany/the-game-of-waltes/ )

12 noon to 12:30 p.m.

➡ Waltes history and demonstration

➡ Kojua demonstration with James Jermey

➡ Tobacco Ties table for the public to make their own prayer ties

12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m.

➡ Mi'kmaq Honour Song

➡ Remarks from Barb Sylvester, Denise DiGiosia, and Natteal Battiste

➡ Smudging Ceremony

1 p.m.

➡ United walk will depart Pijinuiskaq Park and complete a walk in and around Downtown Bridgewater - you can view the planned route here: https://www.explorebridgewater.ca/map/see-and-do/walking-loops/national-day-for-truth-and-reconciliation

We invite you to share this message and welcome you to join us on Monday, October 2, as we gather to mark the National Day For Truth and Reconciliation in Bridgewater.

DID YOU KNOW?
The Town Hall Tower Lights have been changed to orange for a 14-day period to recognize and honour the National Day For Truth and Reconciliation. The Town has also once again placed numerous banners on lamp posts in Downtown Bridgewater as a visual reminder to honour and remember the Survivors of residential schools, the children who never returned home, and their families and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process.

To learn more, please visit https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/national-day-truth-reconciliation.html.