Latest news with #IndigenousAwareness
CTV News
12-06-2025
- General
- CTV News
Sudbury police reconciliation relay invites more participation
Police in Greater Sudbury want more participation in annual events that are meant to educate people about residential schools. What started as an internal initiative by the Greater Sudbury Police Service to raise awareness about trauma and loss caused by Canada's residential school system has turned into an annual event marking its fourth year. The announcement for this year's Truth & Reconciliation Relay started Wednesday with a smudging ceremony. What is a smudging ceremony? 'Smudging is a ceremonial practice that holds significant cultural and spiritual importance for many Indigenous peoples in Canada,' Inn From the Cold said on its website. 'Smudging involves the burning of sacred herbs, typically sage, sweetgrass, cedar, or tobacco, and the ritualistic use of the smoke for cleansing, purifying, and connecting with the spiritual realm.' Walk, run or cycle Since its inception in 2022, the relay – held in September and culminates with National Day for Truth and Reconciliation -- has seen other Greater Sudbury organizations join in with teams logging kilometres they walk, run or cycle. 'We all have a role to play in moving forward and mending the wrongs that have that have been done,' said Const. Anik Dennie, one of the creators of the event. 'So, as an organization ... how can you move forward in a good way?' Last year, the Junction Creek Stewardship Committee (JCSC) was recognized for having 100 per cent staff participation in the event, winning the 'Championing Change' paddle. Championing Change paddle presented to Junction Creek Stewardship Committee Championing Change paddle presented to Junction Creek Stewardship Committee by Greater Sudbury Police Service for having 100 per cent staff participation in annual reconciliation relay. June 11, 2025 (Angela Gemmill/CTV Northern Ontario) 'The work we do with the water, watershed and the Indigenous communities, how we can do better and be better allies and build those meaningful relationships at a speed of trust, and have those positive intentions as well,' said Miranda Virtanen, the committee's executive director. Represents moving forward The physical portion of the relay represents moving forward not just in kilometres, but in understanding and reconciliation. This year, police are inviting schools from the four local school boards to take part. Elementary schools will participate in a colouring contest, while secondary schools will participate in physical activity. 'It's not a competition at all,' said Const. Darrell Rivers. 'It's just schools against schools. They can use their own mascots for team names, but really, the whole heart of it is learning and educating all the youth.' Kilometres representing children affected This year's goal is to log a total of 150,000 kilometres, representing the number of children forced into residential schools across the country. Despite not reaching the goal last year, Dennie said she didn't see it as a failure, adding true reconciliation can't happen overnight. 'It was a reminder that we need to continue to do this. We need to continue to put in the work because we're not there yet, nor will we ever truly be there,' she said. 'It was humbling to see those (total kilometre) numbers and to be reminded of the work that still needs to be put in.' Sudbury Truth & Reconciliation relay Championing Change paddle presented to Junction Creek Stewardship Committee by Greater Sudbury Police Service for having 100 per cent staff participation in annual reconciliation relay. June 11, 2025 (Angela Gemmill/CTV Northern Ontario) Dennie suggests that when participants head out to log their kilometres during the month of September, she hopes they'll pick one of the 94 Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Report to reflect on during their activity. 'Together, we'll all move for change,' she said.
CBC
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Community leader, environment groups recognized for reconciliation efforts on P.E.I.
Two P.E.I. organizations and a local community leader were honoured Tuesday at the fifth annual Reconciliation Recognition Awards in Charlottetown as part of Indigenous Awareness Week. The week is dedicated to honouring and celebrating Indigenous peoples, their cultures and contributions. Jenene Wooldridge, executive director of L'nuey, said the occasion not only highlights Indigenous culture, but also celebrates the work non-Indigenous people are doing on reconciliation. "We always look forward to kicking it off with our annual Reconciliation Recognition Awards to highlight Islanders who have done such good work in promoting allyship and reconciliation through their actions and their work all year long," Wooldridge told CBC News. "These are folks who don't have to do that work, and it's not necessarily easy work, but they choose to be good allies to the Mi'kmaq and so we are honoured to be able to highlight their actions and the work that they do." As part of the week's events, L'nuey will be launching two new traditional Mi'kmaw place names on signs in Rustico and Cavendish, adding to a growing list of more than 40 traditional Mi'kmaw place names on road signs across P.E.I. Honouring reconciliation through arts Julia Campbell, founder and creative director of P.E.I. Fashion Week, was recognized for using her platform to support reconciliation through the arts. Campbell has created inclusive spaces that honour and elevate Mi'kmaq and other Indigenous designers, artists and storytellers, the organization said. Through her leadership, P.E.I. Fashion Week has evolved into more than just a celebration of style — it's become a venue for cultural expression, education and healing, L'nuey said in a news release. "This is a huge honour for me. I was very surprised and humbled to… be recognized for work that has been very enjoyable for me, collaborations that have meant so much, and an immense amount of learning and unlearning that has come through through this allyship," Campbell said. "It's been very easy for me to honour, through art and fashion... Indigenous peoples. Their work is so deeply rooted in storytelling and the culture around Indigenous design and Indigenous fashion, and Mi'kmaw fashion here in P.E.I. It's been beautiful for me to be able to see their work through their lens and be able to share that with people across P.E.I. and across Canada." Recognizing land-based reconciliation Two environmental organizations, the Nature Conservancy of Canada and Island Nature Trust, were also honoured for their efforts in land-based reconciliation and partnerships with the Mi'kmaq. The organizations have worked closely with Mi'kmaq on the Island on areas like the Pituamkek National Park Reserve and have integrated Indigenous knowledge into their conservation efforts. Lanna Campbell, the P.E.I. program director for the Nature Conservancy of Canada, accepted the award on behalf of the organization. "I just feel incredibly honoured and humbled to receive this award. I think when you're doing the work, you're unsure if you're doing it right, and so it just feels really wonderful to be recognized by our Mi'kmaw partners," Campbell said. Simon Andrea, the land acquisition manager at Island Nature Trust, accepted the award on behalf of his organization. He mentioned a recent collaboration with L'nuey and the Epekwitk Assembly of Councils to acquire land for protection as an Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area. So far, they have helped protect about 1,400 acres. "At Island Nature Trust, we're the largest private landowner on P.E.I. We own over 12,000 acres of land, and we recognize that that is the unceded lands of the Mi'kmaq people, and ... being able to incorporate cultural uses, uses that have been going on for thousands of years, is really important to us," Andrea said.
CBC
11-05-2025
- General
- CBC
Ann's Eye: Honouring Red Dress Day at Killarney Lake
The Under One Sky Friendship Centre in Fredericton organized a memorial walk at Killarney Lake for Red Dress Day, a national day of remembrance and awareness for missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people.
