By Arun Budhathoki, NB Media Co-op

September 30, 2022

FREDERICTON / UNCEDED WOLASTOQIYIK TERRITORY – Around 300 people participated in the Every Child Matters event held at Fredericton's Old Burial Ground September 30 to honour the victims and survivors of the Canadian residential school system.

Clad in orange, First Nations people and allies also participated in ceremonies to remember ancestors while renewing calls for change. These events were part of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and were held downtown on the grass of the Old Burial Grounds, between Brunswick and George Streets.

Wolastoqiyik Wahsipekuk First Nation Grand Chief Ron Tremblay sang songs and spoke of the atrocities against the First Nations as he uttered the number “209”.

With a heavy heart, he said, "I have a couple of signs today… 209. (From) 1787 to 1996 is the years residential schools were open. Think about that."

He reminded the crowd that for 209 years, First Nations children were taken from their homes and communities with no choice for themselves.

"It is our gathering," said Mike Solomon, a member of the Wolastoqiyik community and sacred fire keeper. "As you can see, there is support from different nationalities and people... and we have a sacred fire going on to honour them."

Addressing the large gathering of people, Chief Tremblay said that the First Nations children would no longer face the same fate as in the past, and the crowd erupted in applause.

A written statement by Stephen Drost, New Brunswick president of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), underlined the fact that the province did not declare September 30th a provincial holiday until last week. 

“This day was proclaimed a statutory holiday by the federal government in 2021,” said Drost. “At last, thanks to Indigenous activism, public pressure, grievances made by CUPE locals and more, the government of New Brunswick has also proclaimed it a statutory holiday.”