Orange shirt day

Rev. Lynne read the story of Phyllis Webstad whose residential school experience served as the foundation for this annual day of remembrance. Our sacred practice will include words from Richard Wagamese and an amended version of the Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address.

Rick Byce, a Cree from Chapleau, Ontario, leads a tobacco and smudge ceremony at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Picton, on the occasion of Canada Day 2021.

It was shortly after the discovery of 215 unmarked graves at the residential school near Kamloops BC. Many across the country decided to forego the celebration of Canada Day—this included the Picton Canada Day Committee. We as a community decided to host a Canada Day event beside the Wisdom of the Universe, the mural by Christi Belcourt (seen in the background).

This event featured 5 stations:

Our knitters gathered under a huge tent inviting visitors to knit tiny orange sweaters—yard contributed by Lesley Snyder from Rosehaven Yard in Picton.

Karen Fuller provided a station educating the community about The Indian Act.

We sold Bannock made by Mary Maracle from Tyendinaga and raised $500 for the Kehnteke Seed Sanctuary.

We raffled off a piece of art by Christi Belcourt and raised $2500 for her Language and Culture School.

With support from Callie Hill, ED of the Cultural and Language Centre on Tyendinaga, we installed a sign featuring the Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address and provided copies for all visitors.