A sea of oranges gathered in Victoria Park on 1 July in support of indigenous community. Thousands turned out for the second annual Turtle Island Healing WalkA walk to honor the lives and lives lost to Canada’s residential school system.
“It’s amazing,” said the walk’s director, Alyssa Rose, spirit named Little Thunder Woman. “I wasn’t sure what to expect. I was certainly hoping that our relatives and community would be here, and whatever else may come. I’m really honored to see how many people supported today.” has done.”
Many of the 10,000 people who participated last year came back again. It stars Brian Lubert and his wife Deb.
“We came last year and I’ve followed the residential school issue for about 18 to 19 years,” Lubert said. “When I took Canadian history in school, I was very proud of my native culture. To find out how they were misled by the government and all their factions and institutions was very disappointing.”
Residential school survivor Lila Breuer spoke at the Friday morning program.
“I think about the kids,” Breuer said. “I knew of children going to St. Margaret’s residential school, as a survivor. We were told about the children. But if we talked about it, we would have shut up and they would have denied it.
As a survivor, Breuer spoke of offering a paid visit to see the Pope. But it was not something he was interested in.
“I don’t need to ask anyone to apologize. They need to come and meet me.”
Now, Rose hopes the annual walk will continue to have an impact on the London community.
,[I hope] It continues to create space for our communities, relatives, survivors, to be able to grieve, heal, that place and time but be supported by our allies and supporters across the city.
Everyday thanks a lot to all the people who came out and supported the indigenous community.
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