Pontiacers mark Truth and Reconciliation Day in Mansfield

Pontiacers mark Truth and Reconciliation Day in Mansfield

The Pontiac Native Community hosted a gathering at the Healing garden in Mansfield on Saturday afternoon to mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Around a dozen people gathered at the garden, located on chemin de la Chute, for a smudging ceremony as well as some short speeches by the organizers in both English and French.

Ann Marie Sullivan Urbaitis, a board member of the community, spoke with CHIP 101.9 about the significance of the day.

Lise Romain, the group’s president, said that it was important to remember the history of residential schools and other injustices endured by Indigenous people in Canada.

September 30 was declared a federal holiday by parliament in June 2021, to honor the deceased children and survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities.