A flag raising ceremony at City Hall Friday morning at 10:00 am officially kicks-off Truth and Reconciliation Events in Brandon. This afternoon at 2:00 pm, a community teepee raising and teachings will be held at the Brandon Riverbank Discover Centre.
On Monday, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Orange Shirt Walks will begin at Brandon Riverbank. There will be food trucks available, a Children’s Play Area , and an Indigenous Artist Area. After the walk, a BBQ takes place hosted by the Men’s Resource Centre, also entertainment by musician Ida Henderson, and a presentation on Indigenous Food Sovereignty by Cher Andrew George Jr. The walk will begin at 12:00 pm.
**Remember to dress for the weather, wear good walking shoes, BRING WATER WITH YOU, and prepare for a long walk to Brandon’s Residential School site located down Wokiksuye Canku (Remembrance Road)/Grand Valley Road. This walk is over 3km long to the site and another 3km walk back, so approximately an hour walk to the site and another hour back. Be prepared to be outside for up to 3 hours on your feet.
The Orange Shirt Walk will leave the Riverbank Discovery Centre grounds, head West on Kirkcaldy Drive, and cross 18th Street North onto Wokiksuye Canku (Remembrance Road)/Grand Valley Road. The walk will go past the Brandon Research Station and go up the hill towards the original site of Brandon’s Residential School. All participants are to gather at the site with Sioux Valley Dakota Nation before re-tracing the route and returning to the Riverbank.
For Elders and those with young children, there will also be a Mini Orange Shirt Day Walk using the trails at the Riverbank Discovery Center. The main Orange Shirt Walk will leave and this one will begin, being led by an Elder. This walk is aimed at families with very young children, those with mobility aids, and elders that may find the 6km walk challenging.
Also on Monday, please join Q Country 91.5 and 94.7 Star FM for “A Day to Listen 2024”. This year’s theme is ‘All Our Relations’ with hosts Kim Wheeler, Julian Taylor & January Rogers. Providing you with stories and interviews from Indigenous community leaders, artists & creators, elders and more on Culture, Community and how we are all Connected.
