Every Child Matters: second annual Montreal march for National Day of Truth and Reconciliation

Montrealers came together on Friday for the second annual March for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

This year’s event organized jointly by Native Women’s Shelter of Montreal and Resilience Montreal, and will highlight continued struggles for justice and dignity in Indigenous communities.

“I know that there’s this whole denial of systemic racism but if you think of residential schools, this is exactly what it was. It was part of the system, it was the law that people had to attend residential schools. And then the next one was the ’60s scoop’ and all the things that we are dealing with right now are remnants of it. And we are still struggling,” says Native Women’s Shelter executive Director Nakuset.

“My mother went to residential school. I’m a descendant of this. My whole family was broken up. I have family members that aren’t here anymore that have passed away… it’s really devastating. It’s not something you hear about all the time, but we live it every day and we have one day where we are going to recognize that.”

#WATCH: "Let's not forget the children that never made it home," says Grand Chief of Kahnawake Kahsennenhawe Sky-Deer about Truth and Reconciliation Day as Montrealers take part in a march downtown. @CityNewsMTL #READ: https://t.co/axU4yp7Epw pic.twitter.com/bTfX0Mz0yU

— Brittany Henriques (@BritHenriques) September 30, 2022

“Let’s not forget the children that never made it home,” says Grand Chief of Kahnawake Kahsennenhawe Sky-Deer. ” The government and the churches tried to break our people. But we’re still here. We’re still proud. Most of us are working very diligently to revitalize our language, our culture.”

Searches near former Residential Schools across the country have now located more than 6,500 children in unmarked mass graves. Many of those who visit Resilience Montreal, are the survivors of Residential schools.

“when I think of truth, what we know the truth is, is that our languages were forbidden. That our practices were forbidden, that our families were abused. Those schools were designed to take the ‘Indian’ out of the child,” says Autumn Godwin, member of the Generational Warriors group.  

“The deaths of Joyce Echequan, Raphaël Napa André, Siasi Tullaugak and countless others before them, only underscore the injustices Indigenous people face due to systemic racism,” said organizers in a press release.

“The Montreal event will serve as an opportunity for the public to learn from Indigenous leaders and hear their truths and wisdom.”

“Actions speak louder than words, so come – walk in our moccasins – and arrive with open hearts. This is an opportunity to really show that ‘Every Child Matters’,” said Nakuset, director the Native Women’s Shelter of Montreal and co-manager of Resilience Montreal.

“To make amends for the sins of the past is needed right now. Now is the time to act,” said David Chapman, executive director, Resilience Montreal.

March details: gathering point around the Monument George-Etienne-Cartier in Mount Royal Park at 1 p.m.

– Walk south on Parc to Sherbrooke.
– Turn right onto Sherbrooke.
– Continue along Sherbrooke until Metcalfe.
– Turn left onto Metcalfe.
– Continue south on Metcalfe until Boulevard René-Lévesque
– Gather around the former Macdonald Monument at Place du Canada, between Metcalfe and Peel, south of René-Lévesque.

They will be walking along Milton where many from the homeless community gather, and are encouraging people to bring food, clothing and other items (socks, gift cards) to offer those in need.