STOUGHTON - Ocean Man First Nation and the Town of Stoughton joined together in holding a barbecue in recognition of the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation.
Sept. 30 is the national day in remembrance of the children that did not return from residential schools and those who survived the system.
The event was to take place at the new greenspace on Main Street in Stoughton, but due to the high winds, it was decided to hold the event at the rink.
Stoughton Mayor Clarence Hoffort said they could not keep the barbecue going because the wind was so strong, but this did not stop them from cooking the burgers in the rink's kitchen.
Stoughton Coun. Shirley Coderre welcomed everyone, and Jade Larose was happy to serve 54 meals, with the proceeds going towards the breakfast program at the Stoughton Central School and the lunch program at Ocean Man First Nations.
Most who attended wore orange shirts with the logo for Every Child Matters.
Phyllis Webstad of the Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation in B.C. created the orange shirt. The colour of the shirt is widely recognized, as Webstad told her story of her first year of school in 1973-74.
She was six years old and lived with her grandmother on the Dog Creek reserve. They never had much money, but they went to the store, and she got a shiny new orange shirt to wear to school.
When she got to the school in her new orange shirt, she was stripped and her clothes were taken away, so she was never to see that orange shirt again. She did not understand why she could not have it back.
The colour orange always reminded her of that day and how her feelings did not matter.
Today this colour is a reminder of the events that happened over the years in residential schools and how history cannot be repeated.
OMFN and the town of Stoughton recognize that this is an important day to remember and to be honoured.
