The Rotary Club of Guelph, in collaboration with Indigenous charity True North Aid, is organizing a Reconciliation Walk at Riverside Park in Guelph on Sunday in support of National Truth and Reconciliation Day on Monday. The purpose of the walk is to raise awareness about Canada’s Indigenous history, specifically focusing on the legacy of residential schools. Eleni Bakopoulos, the Rotary’s Indigenous awareness lead, emphasizes the importance of understanding this difficult history and moving towards a hopeful future for Canada. The event aims to educate participants about the truth behind Canada’s residential school system and encourage a commitment to reconciliation.
Bakopoulos explains that the Reconciliation Walk is a self-guided event where participants can learn about Canada’s Indigenous history through information panels placed throughout the park. She stresses the significance of being truthful about the difficult aspects of Canada’s past, as healing cannot occur until the truth is acknowledged. Bakopoulos acknowledges that the walk may bring up painful memories or be traumatizing for Indigenous Peoples, so there are various events in the city catering to individual needs. The event has been carefully planned with input from the local Indigenous community, and participants are encouraged to engage with the material at their own pace.
The Reconciliation Walk is just one of many events happening in multiple cities across Canada in observance of National Truth and Reconciliation Day. Bakopoulos describes the event as interactive, allowing participants to engage with the information as much as they desire. The walk is an opportunity for individuals to educate themselves and make a commitment to moving forward on the path of reconciliation together. Participants have the freedom to engage with the material in a way that feels comfortable for them, whether that involves delving into the difficult aspects of Canada’s history or choosing to focus on more positive elements.
In addition to the Reconciliation Walk, participants are encouraged to wear orange clothing to acknowledge Orange Shirt Day, which coincides with the statutory holiday. Bakopoulos explains that wearing orange allows individuals to feel connected to a larger movement and to actively participate in recognizing the significance of this day. The event is free of charge and will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., rain or shine. Participants who may be experiencing pain or distress as a result of their residential school experience can access the Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line (1-866-925-4419) available 24 hours a day for support.
Overall, the Reconciliation Walk in Guelph aims to provide an opportunity for residents to learn more about Canada’s Indigenous history and to reflect on the legacy of residential schools. By offering a self-guided and interactive experience, the event allows participants to engage with the difficult truths of Canada’s past at their own pace. The walk is part of a larger movement of events across the country in observance of National Truth and Reconciliation Day, stressing the importance of education and commitment to moving forward hand in hand towards a hopeful future of reconciliation. Participants are encouraged to wear orange to show solidarity and to actively engage with the material presented during the event.
