Thorold, ON – In observance of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day,
the City of Thorold, in partnership with Kakekalanicks, is inviting community members to participate in
a number of interactive teachings and workshops and a special commemoration event to honour the
children who never returned home from Residential School, and the Survivors, their families and their
communities.
“Honouring the Children” Event at Thorold Indigenous Unity Garden
On September 23, community members are invited to participate in a variety of interactive teachings,
stories and workshops at the Thorold Indigenous Unity Garden, located at Mel Swart Lake Gibson
Conservation Park. The sessions will honour and recognize the 94 Calls to Action set forth by the
Truth and Reconciliation Commission. This Indigenous-led event will run from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
and will begin with an Elder Circle at the Sacred fire led by Residential School Survivor and Elder
Albert Choken, followed by scheduled sessions for the whole family that focus on sharing love to
those who never returned home, the survivors and their families.
Sessions include:
-Sacred Fire will be lit. Everyone is invited to participate and experience the importance the
Sacred Fire and traditional medicines holds for Indigenous Peoples – 9:30 a.m.
- Elder Circle with Albert Choken: Along with his helpers, he will share how he Survived
Residential School – 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.
- Seven Sacred Directions and Sound Bath with Audra and Raven – 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
- Medicine Wheel Bracelet Workshop with April Mitchel-Boudreau – 12:30 to 1:15 p.m.
- Paddles of the Grand Workshop with Gina Wilson McIntee – 12:00 and 1:30 p.m.
Rock Painting – 12:00 to 2:00 p.m.
- Create Your Own Orange T-Shirt with Michele-Elise Burnett – 12:00 to 2:00 p.m.
An artisan market will also be offered throughout the day and traditional food by Shannon Cotter will
be served at 12:00 p.m. Community members are invited to register for workshops at
https://tinyurl.com/Unity-Garden.
Special Commemoration at City Hall
The City will be joined by Kakekalanicks in hosting a special commemoration out front of City Hall
on September 25, which will include traditional songs with Strong Water Singers Drum Group,
guest speakers from the Indigenous community and the raising of the Every Child Matters flag.
Community members are invited to attend the event at 10:00 a.m. and are encouraged to wear
orange shirts.
The City will also illuminate City Hall orange from September 22 through to October 1, 2023.
Facility closures
City of Thorold administrative offices will be closed on September 29 to observe the National Day for
Truth and Reconciliation.
Quotes
“Earlier this year, in partnership with Kakekalanicks, One Thorold and our Indigenous Community, the
City proudly unveiled the Thorold Indigenous Unity Garden – Niagara’s first Indigenous outdoor
classroom with ongoing programming and offerings. In the week leading up to the National Day for
Truth and Reconciliation, we invite residents and community members to participate in the interactive
workshops being offered at the Indigenous Unity Garden on September 23, and to join us for the
special commemoration at City Hall on September 25. Initiatives such as these continue to
demonstrate the City’s commitment to reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples and to celebrating the
values and richness of Indigenous culture in our Community.”
- Mayor Terry Ugulini
"Many people ask me, ‘how can we help move the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to
action forward?’ This can be achieved by participating in immersive events like ‘Honouring the
Children's Spirit’ at Thorold's Indigenous Unity Garden, by listening to Elders, Grandmothers,
survivors, and their families' stories, and by reading the 94 Calls to action and seeing which ones you
can put into action right away. If everyone in this country did just one of the Calls, we would be much
closer to the brighter future we strive for together. The collaboration between the City of Thorold and
Kakekalanicks exemplifies the kind of true partnership that is needed to create a stronger and more
respectful cross-cultural future for our next Seven Generations. In this way, the City of Thorold
is actively putting the TRC's 94 Calls to action."
- Michèle-Elise Burnett, President of Kakekalanicks
About the Thorold Indigenous Unity Garden
Located in Mel Swart Lake Gibson Conservation Park, the Thorold Indigenous Unity Garden serves
as an inclusive outdoor classroom where people from all nations can come together to reflect, renew,
celebrate, learn, and discover through ongoing Indigenous teachings, interactive workshops, and
activities that will help deepen a stronger understanding of Indigenous culture and tradition and their
incredible global contributions. Learn more at www.thorold.ca/indigenousunitygarden.
About Kakekalanicks
Established in the early 1980’s and re-launched in 2016, the philosophical underpinnings of
Kakekalanicks are rooted in the same traditional beliefs and ideology that inspired the company’s late
founder, Suzanne Rochon Burnett. Owned and operated by Metis Nation’s Michèle-Elise Burnett,
Kakekalanicks fosters a great sense of belonging and is passionate about bringing all Nations
together to learn, share and celebrate diversity, creativity, resilience, and vitality of FNMI populations.
Learn more at https://www.kakekalanicks.org.