The Sacred Fire and Sunrise Ceremony hosted by the Barrie Native Friendship Centre today honoured all who have been impacted by residential schools.
Visitors were invited to reflect, offer a prayer, share stories, learn and heal together as a community.
A Sunrise Ceremony was held at 6:30 a.m. along with a tipi-raising ceremony later in the morning on Monday.
At 6 p.m. tonight, people are invited to join members of the Indigenous community and participate in the Every Child Matters Walk of commemoration, hosted by Mamaway Wiidokdaadwin Primary Care Team of the Barrie Area Native Advisory Circle (BANAC). The route will loop from the Spirit Catcher sculpture to Centennial Beach.
Information booths, the Sacred Fire and guest speakers will be on site all day.
The City of Barrie is recognizing the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Sept. 30 with opportunities for community members to gather, learn and reflect.
Local events are being offered in a collaborative effort between the Mamaway Wiidokdaadwin Primary Care Team from BANAC, the Barrie Native Friendship Centre (BNFC), the City of Barrie and the Barrie Public Library.