June 21, 2021

‘IT’S ALL ABOUT THE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO WILL HONOUR US’

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

BRACEBRIDGE — Silence. Applause.

Kids. Elders.

Students. Teachers.

Residents. Survivors.

Tears. Rain.

Healing. Hope.

Truth. Reconciliation.

That’s how it was and what it was all about today as more than 200 First Nations and second nations members gathered in solidarity to start Indigenous Awareness Week.

All colours and races. Together, united to end the plight of Indigenous Canadians.

In particular to remember 215 little lives — forever never to be forgotten.

Every child matters and every adult here heard that today.

Lila Tobobondung made sure they did.

The residential survivor — who was taken from her northwestern Ontario reserve home to schools in the Soo and Brantford — may have spoken softly.

But her message carried an emotional kick with its strength, humility, candour, humour and humanity. All of which brought her to tears along with a few leaning to listen.

“It’s all about the young people,” the Indigenous Elder said, referring at first to the 200,000 children on reserves and 150,000 of them who were taken away from their families.

Tobobondung said 4,100 and possibly 6,000 children died in residential schools.

Then looking out at dozens of children seated in the grass before her: “They are the ones who are going to honour us.”

The crowd applauded in a trickle of rain.

**Residential school survivor Lila Tobobondung, right, said it was all about the young, including her family who joined her.**

Metis Lorna Handy said “God was crying” and “only God can forgive us.”

Tobobondung’s was a heartfelt message made amid a sea of 215 signs emblazoned with large orange hearts — one to mark each of the children in Kamloops whose school graves were left no mark.

Organizers had been up since sunrise placing the handmade tributes in Memorial Park, where they remained till sunset. Tomorrow to Friday they will be put up in four other parks in Muskoka.

**Drummer Rodney Stanger, right, and singer Devon Jarick.**

Elder Doug Pawis said Canadians knew the story of First Nations but didn’t say anything.

He compared it to Indigenous soldiers who fought wars for Canada and came back with PTSD.

“They didn’t talk about what happened to them growing up.”

Pawis said: “It’s time for all colours and races to come together.”

He brought along 215 pouches of tobacco, which he had most people line up to take away.

Doug Smith said seeing all the signs the first time was “emotional” to look at.

Dennis Hay said “it’s no laughing matter.”

He and his wife Sarah, who was wearing a rainbow bandana around her neck, were just happy to see so many people wearing orange ‘Every Child Matters’ t-shirt.

**Eithan Jurgeneit, of Bracebridge, a member of the Six Nationa, and his mom, aunts and cousins joined in to mark the day with more than 200 others.**

Sandra Rosewarne admits she knows too little about Indigenous history.

She grew up in Bracebridge where the town’s landfill is named after her family.

She went to the elementary and high schools just blocks from where today’s gathering took place.

“I’m embarrassed to say I know little about it.”

But as a retired human resources worker and life coach now she’s a firm believer in growing, evolving and educating ones self.

That’s why she stopped by the park and looks forward to learning more from First Nations storytellers and from events and days like this.

Sandra Rosewarne said she learned little about aboriginal culture growing up and says she believes in learning more.

Tobobondung, who lives at Wasauksing First Nation near Parry Sound and brought her family along, said she was happy to see so many people join together.

She just hopes “awakenings” like this help.

That’s it’s a start toward educating others and a better tomorrow for her people.

Because “every child matters.”