On the morning of June 28, Mayor LeMay and Councillor Reavie participated in a small
outdoor ceremony at the Pembroke Street bridge and Waterfront Park with several local
residential school survivors and their family members.
The ceremony featured drumming as orange ribbons were tied along the bridge’s
railings to commemorate victims of the residential school system and stand in solidarity
with survivors and family members. The ceremony later continued at the Waterfront,
where Kitchissippi, the Ottawa River, was designated a Heritage River in 2016.
The City of Pembroke’s officials and staff are saddened and overcome with the recent
discoveries in Kamloops and at Cowessess First Nation and encourage all residents to
support the grieving Indigenous members of our community and beyond through this
traumatic time.
Mayor LeMay stated, “This is a tremendously difficult time for many Indigenous
residents within our community, nearby Pikwakanagan, and beyond. These discoveries
have brought back many terrible memories for survivors and family members and have
been a stark reminder to us all of the atrocities committed within the residential school
system. I want to encourage our community to support each other and lift up its
members who require healing.”
Residents who wish to commemorate the victims of the residential school system can
join in this tribute by tying an orange ribbon to the Pembroke Street bridge or the
structure on the boardwalk which features the Heritage River plaque (beside the east
end Marina parking lot).
These tributes will remain in place through the end of the summer and until the autumn
equinox.
A national Residential School Crisis Line has been set up to provide support for former
students and those affected.
People can access emotional and crisis referral services
by calling the 24-hour national crisis line at 1-866-925-4419.