Hundreds of people gathered on Windsor's waterfront to mark the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
An opening ceremony for the Indigenous community was held before a healing walk took place.
Anishinaabe Elder Mona Stonefish speaks at a healing walk to mark the first National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, September 30, 2021. (Photo by Maureen Revait)
Anishinaabe Elder Mona Stonefish, a residential school survivor, asked allies to do more than show up and wear an orange shirt.
"Take responsibility and be accountable for what your ancestors, the white settler nations continue to do," said Stonefish.
Stone spoke of the atrocities she and many others faced after being forcibly removed from their homes to attend residential schools where their language and culture were repressed.
"They beat us so we wouldn't speak our language," said Stonefish. "I won't explain all the other heinous crimes that happened but when you try to rob a people of its culture and its language that is crime against humanity and Canada, the province of Ontario, and North America, shame on you."
The healing walk continued along the waterfront trail from Bert Weeks Memorial Gardens to Assumption Park.
The City of Windsor and surrounding municipalities also marked today by taking part in ceremonies.
