MMNN Contributor

It was a beautiful day to celebrate and recognize Orange Shirt Day as many call it or Truth and Reconciliation Day as it is formally known. There were many orange shirts worn that day and if you didn’t have one, The Department of Education gave them out to anyone that wanted one.

Emcee Eleanor Michael took the lead and was a wonderful host of the day’s events. The event started off with an opening prayer in Mi’kmaq by Elders Becky Julian and Mary Lou Bernard followed by a memorial song by Eastern Eagle. Elder and Residential School survivor Debbie Paul gave her thought and feelings about her time at the residential school, it was very moving and although she didn’t share everything, she let others see how it was in her eyes, which was an experience in itself. Executive Tim Bernard of Mi’kmawey Debert, then gave his thoughts on what is happening in regard to the Commemoration project. The IRS Commemoration Project is in the 3rd phase, Design is working on a design that represents the love, hope, respect and reclamation and is representative of the Survivors from across the Atlantic Region who attended this institution. Tim also discussed that The Survivors Advisory Circle, of 7 Survivors and 1 Descendant from across the Maritimes are committed to helping to guide the project and have chosen the Design team of the Studio of Ursula Johnson, Inc. for their creative work to design a Commemoration piece that we all can be proud of. We look forward to seein ...

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