Huntsville businesses display orange ribbons as reminder of tragic chapter in Canadian history
Orange ribbons hang in the windows of several downtown Hunstville businesses, each bearing the name and date of a child who died in residential school.
"I'm very much in support of any effort to share the message and to increase the learning of that part of our history," said David McLean, owner of Soapstones Natural Skincare.
It's part of the Hope Arises project, which is now in its second year.
Joyce Jonathan Crone helped create the project after the discovery of mass graves on the grounds of former residential schools.
"We heard about the children being unearthed in Kamloops, which Indigenous people already knew, but it became real for all of Canada, so we just couldn't sit by and do nothing as mothers," said Jonathan Crone.
This week she's dropping ribbons off at local businesses to display. The ribbons are also free to anyone wishing to take one.
It's a chance to honour the children who never made it home.
"It's a beautiful remembrance, and it shows that our community is in this together," said Jonathan Crone.
She noted support for the project has been overwhelming.
"It's amazing to see, and I would want all Indigenous people who live in our community to see the ribbons and to know that we are identified here," she said.
The owner of The Great Vine, Catherine Cole, said her front window is a show of solidarity ahead of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
"It's easy to walk by, and we think about it for a moment and we go on about our lives and this is asking us to participate in some way," said Cole.
Sept. 30 is also known as Orange Shirt Day. On that day, Jonathan Crone said ribbons would be available at River Mill Park for people to place on trees to reflect and remember.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Deaths of 4 people on Sask. farm confirmed as murder-suicide
The deaths of four people on a farm near the Saskatchewan village of Neudorf have been confirmed a murder-suicide.
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
Calgary bridges remain closed due to ongoing police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Kinew, Poilievre meet at Manitoba legislature, discuss each other's priorities
Premier Wab Kinew and federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre met at the Manitoba legislature Thursday afternoon.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
'We won't forget': How some Muslims view Poilievre's stance on Israel-Hamas war
A spokesman for a regional Muslim advocacy group says Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's stance on the Israel-Hamas war could complicate his party's relationship with Muslim Canadians.
Humboldt Broncos bus crash survivor qualifies Canada for Paralympics in rowing event
Former Humboldt Broncos goaltender and bus crash survivor Jacob Wassermann has qualified Canada for a rowing event for the 2024 Paralympic games in Paris.