Truth and Reconciliation Day 2023 in New Westminster

This year, one of the largest Truth and Reconciliation Day events to be held in the Lower Mainland was somewhat appropriately held in BC's first capital city, New Westminster. Ernie Cardinal of Spirit of the Children Society hosted the event, which took place in the form of a Pow Wow. It drew hundreds of settlers from throughout the region.

The banks of the Fraser River where the event was held was originally called "the resting place" by the the Qayqayt Peoples.

After the grand entry the Chief of the Qayquayt Nation, Rhonda Larrabee spoke about what Canadian government officials used to call "The Indian problem". Be it the shameful history of residential schools or the "60's Scoop" which saw children again forcibly removed form their homes, the ultimate answer to resolving the "Indian problem" has always been rooted in genocide, an attempt to wipe away First Nation's cultures by breaking up families.

Chief Marilyn Gabriel of the Kwantlen First Nation was also present. Chief Gabriel says that many residential school "survivors" (she prefers the term warriors) have returned to their First Nations communities to learn their culture and have now returned to work with the Tri-Cities school district as cultural educators. In effect coming full circle in their healing journey, not only healing themselves but now helping to educate others.

Some of those in attendance included New Westminster MLA and Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, Jennifer Whiteside, who expressed the honor she felt in being invited to witness and take part the days activities.

Maya Russtle, Chair of the New Westminster Schoolboard also felt that the schoolboard has an important role to play in providing First Nations youth with as much access to First Nations culture as possible.

While there were several hundred people who came out to take part in the Pow Wow, there is always room for more. Attending a Truth and Reconciliation Day event or even a Pow Wow throughout the year, is a good opportunity to show your support for First Nation's peoples and to learn a little more about our own shameful history that has historically been conveniently glossed over in our educational system.