How Barrie is commemorating Orange Shirt Day

Indigenous community members setting up a Tipi near the Spirit Catcher in Barrie, Ont., on Mon., Sept. 30, 2024 (CTV News/Mike Lang)

The fourth annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation saw plenty of community members gathering across Barrie on Monday, reflecting on the impacts of residential schools and honouring survivors.

At the Spirit Catcher, dozens took part in a Sacred Fire and Sunrise Ceremony hosted by the Barrie Native Friendship Centre (BNFC).

"Everyone who suffers through intergenerational trauma is still recovering," said Petranella Brisco, cultural resource coordinator at the BNFC. "It's like the five stages of grief. Everyone is at a different level."

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Despite being originally from a reserve in White Bear, Saskatchewan, Brico says she was not raised in her Indigenous culture.

"I've always grown up with a love-hate relationship with my Indigenous side, and I know many people here today also feel the same way," stated Brico. "We're all on a journey to find ourselves again, to reconnect with who we are."

James Carpenter, who goes by his spiritual name, Waabannaaquot Bear Clan, says he felt the disconnect from Indigenous culture among the elders in his family.

"I had no understanding at all of why my parents, aunties and uncles were so sad," recalled Bear Clan. "I learned [eventually] that our people had been through a massacre of their culture, a massacre of their identity, [and] a massacre of their family community."

Bear Clan and Brisco were among the many speakers who shared their experiences with residential schools and how they overcame intergenerational trauma.

"In a way, this is celebrating," said Bear Clan. "Everyone is starting to listen. We much appreciate everyone that is listening and supporting indigenous people."

When it comes to land acknowledgements, Bear Clan wants them to be about acknowledging their Indigenous significance.

"These were sacred homelands of many of our ancestors," added Bear Clan. "To acknowledge that is a huge step in rebuilding that relationship. So when you're out enjoying the beautiful creations around you on these territories, just acknowledge those Indigenous peoples that were here, acknowledge those families, the children, the community, and spirits."

In terms of the next steps that need to be taken toward truth and reconciliation, Brisco wants her fellow community members to continue listening and learning.

"I think we're getting there. It's a slow process, obviously," said Brisco. She highlighted the BNFC's connections with the McLaren Art Centre and the Barrie Minor Hockey Association. "These are big steps in helping to bridge those gaps within the community, bridging those gaps with our youth and hopefully trying to help with the intergenerational trauma and hopefully trying to stop it."

There are also National Day for Truth and Reconciliation events by the Barrie Public Library, the Barrie South Simcoe Métis Council and Georgian College, among the many others across the region.