Thousands, family, and manitobans gathered at the RBC Convention Center on Tuesday at a sea of orange, to honor those who did not build it home, who did, and continued to work further.
Grand Chief Jerry Daniel of the Southern major organization said, “We are here to ensure that all our children are given every chance because it is the future that we want, so we can simultaneously make that future possible for our people.”
The Orange Shirt Day, also known as The National Day for Truth and Request, was inspired by the Felice Webstad, whose Orange shirt was taken to reach the residential school in 1973.
For years, the Orange Shirt Day in Vinnipag was organized by the WA-Say Heeling Center, headed by Wayne Mason. Last year, the organization of southern heads stepped into funding, and this year, the SCO has officially hosted the event.
Mason said, “This is the fifth annual walk and it is heavy because it just keeps growing up. When I looked back and saw that sea of orange, it touched me, you know,” Mason said.
Before passing through the streets of the city Vinypeg in an orange in Orange, the RBC Convention Center began at Odena Circle in the healing walk forks before proceeding in all ways. Citynues spoke to some locals why they came out.
Orange Shirt Day participant Martha Paul said, “This day matters a lot to me, my mother is a survivor, and I have international and inter -trauma, and it is a re -combination for our culture and what I believe.”
Another orange shirt day participant, Mino said, “I believe it can at least we can do, and I am speaking as an immigrant for me, to accept what was done to them.”
Trinta Cinclair, an orange shirt day contestant, said, “We are coming together and covering the past, and we are all moving forward, I and I am very grateful to be part of it.”
A residential school survivor Suu Karibu said, “I am a survivor and today there is a special day for me because I love a lot, so much love, so I am really respected that I have come in this walk.”
Inside the RBC Convention Center, the grand entry filled the floor with songs, dances and ceremonies. Leaders say that this is not only a chance to celebrate culture, but also to remind young people of their strength and identity.
“Orange is about Shirt Day, left the parents behind, and the children who never come home. Let’s keep them in our hearts, but the Orange Shirt Day is also about Canada’s ability to change for better, and I am very proud to look around it,” said the premiere Wab Kneu.
