Stratford Times September 20, 2024 9 2024 Truth and Reconciliation events: Building awareness and unlearning myths STRATFORD TIMES STAFF stratfordtimes@gmail.com For the third year, the Falstaff Family Centre (FFC) will be hosting events during Truth and Reconciliation Week leading up to The National Day for Truth and Reconcilia- tion on Sept. 30. These events are intended to help foster learning, awareness, inclusivity, as well as an understanding of the impact of colo- nialism, including the legacy of residential schools. The events are presented in collabora- tion with Kaswentha Two Row Now, a Hu- ron-Perth group of Indigenous and non-In- digenous community members. The group focuses on cultural programs promoting so: cial connectedness and belonging for Indi enous students and families, awareness-rais- ing events and Teaching Circles for all who have an interest in learning about Indigenous cultural ways. Two exhibits from the Indigenous-led Leg- acy of Hope Foundation, “A National Crime: Canada's Indian Residential School System” and “Remembering, Honouring and the Way Forward: 10 Years After the Residential the morning on the FFC grounds or in the NATIONAL DAY FOR TRUTH & RECONCILIATION ‘conrrisuren pHoTo) The Falstaff Family Centre in Stratford is once again hosting a series of events and activi- ties on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Sept 30. 230 & 7 pm. — NFB film WaaPake reading by educator and artist Jacinthe Roy. These horses were essential to Ojibwe peo- ple for transportation, hunting, ceremonial purposes and survival. The deep connection was eventually severed when Colonizers saw the horses as a nuisance and, by the 1970s, they were hunted almost to extinction. 6 p.m. — Solidarity Walk around the river for the public led by Falstaff Family Centre owner/director Loreena McKennitt. Private group viewings of The Legacy of Hope exhibitions and the NFB film can be arranged by contacting the centre at info@ falstaff.ca or 519-273-3876. During Truth and Reconciliation Week, people are also invited to join — from the comfort of their own homes — 50-minute daily webinars at 1 p.m. called Lunch and Learns. Consisting of a moderator and panel- ists, they're presented by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation and described s “an immersive experience to UN-learn the myths of colonial history in Canada.” “The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) have called upon all Canadians to continue to learn more about the devastating conse- School Apology,” will be on display in the FFC community room from Monday, Sept. 23 to Friday, Sept. 27 between 3:30 and 5:30 oe and throughout the day Monday, Sept. During exhibit hours, orange t-shirts will also be for sale by Winona Sands of Howling Moon Aboriginal Arts, a member of Walpo- le Island First Nation. On Monday, Sept. 30, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a series of activi- ties will honour the day beginning early in Council approves Vivian Line 37 LTC plans as presented, despite some community room in the event of inclement 7:30 a.m. — Sunrise Ceremony with Onei- da First Nation elder and a member of the Turtle Clan, Patsy Day. (Patsy Day offers Grandmother Moon. Teachings in. the. area, providing insights into the natural world and the human spirit.) 7:30 a.m. to noon — Indigenous Teachings and Sacred Fire with Patsy Day, Matthew Maynard and Ojibway artist and flautist Jef- rey Red George. Youth readings with edu- cator and artist Jacinthe Roy. th (meaning ‘Tomorrow’) will be shown in the community room. The NFB describes the film this way: “For generations, the suffering of residential school survivors has radiated outward, impacting Indigenous families and. communities. Dr, Jules Arita Koostachin’ the Falstaff Family Centre are not only com- mitted to learning more, but to translating deeply p intergenerational trauma, with an invitation to unravel the tangled threads of silence and unite in collective freedom and power.” 4 & 5 p.m. — Aspens Ojibwe Spirit Horses presented by caretakers Sallianne and Dale Patch and children’s story 1. What killed all the dinosaurs? i ithin our everyday and sharing that learning with others in lives the community. I sincerely hope the citizens of Stratford and area will find time to take in the activities, the film and displays as we reflect on this dark aspect of Canadian his- tory.” Weekend Quiz councillors pushing for change CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8 “ _. The size of the project does affect those issues. ... I just think that the overall value of having green space probably outweighs the challenges it created to have too many beds in too small a spot.” “J would implore you to leave the bed allocation to the ministry,” consultant Rachel Bossie of GSP Group said after Coun. Cody Sebben inquired about council’s abil- ity to control the number of beds allowed. “They have a system in place that's set up and designed to address this. And I think it's also very important to remember that the baby boomers are aging. We're having this problem with seniors in the community, and that number will continue to grow, and there's an opportunity today to assist in pro- viding them care.” Bossie had earlier pointed out that the waitlist for a bed in an LTC in Perth and Oxford counties alone is currently approaching 4,000. Biehn’s amendment failed, with only her, Burbach, Briscoe and Sebben supporting it. Later, Burbach made another amendment to require 12 bicycle parking spaces WWW.STRATFORDTI at the northern LTC development, which was also defeat- d. ed. Biehn, Briscoe and Burbach were supportive of the final vote approving the zone changes and official plan d despite the d they supported not sing. “t's that difficult position,” Briscoe said. “We have an immediate need to meet where our people's health (is) and families are being broken up presently. ... 1 support the long-term vision of this as well.” Only Sebben and Coun. Geza Wordofa were opposed. Coun. Harjinder Nijjar and Coun. Brad Beatty were ab- sent. The LTC plans are not final and will go through the requisite site-plan approval process, with many aspects of the development subject to change during that process. Bossie did indicate that the applicants will continue to collaborate with city staff and take in feedback provided 0 them. However, as Sebben said, the Sept. 9 decision was the last opportunity for council to require specific changes. MES.COM 2. Who holds the MLB record for most bases stolen? 3. What country has the largest military? 4. The hin! virus was also known as what? 5. Bootlegging is the illegal traffic of what? 6. What year was the Empire State Building built? 7. How many holes does a harmonica have? 8. What is Alaska's national sport? 9. What was Jane Austen known for being? 10. What is the hottest color of fire? This week’s answers are found on pg. 34