ON SEPTEMBER 30TH, WE HonourED Truth and Reconciliation: Sainte-Marie hostED free Day of Reflection
Courtesy Barrie360.com
By Staff, September 30, 2025
The commemorative program will include a raising of the survivor flag, created by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada
Sainte-Marie among the Hurons will mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with a full day of free programming on Tuesday, September 30, inviting the public to reflect, remember, and learn. The commemorative event honours the survivors of the residential school system and the children who never returned home.
It has been an eye-opener for those who attend, “We hear back from people who say that participation has allowed them to not only have meaningful dialogue with each other, but with our staff, with the survivors that are here”, said Candice Moreau, Manager of Marketing and Sales. “They’ve felt that they have been able to involve themselves … in an authentic, respectful way.”
A day of ceremony and storytelling
The program began at 6 a.m. with a sunrise ceremony led by Troy Monague of Beausoleil First Nation. A sacred fire was lit and tended throughout the day by firekeepers from Beausoleil, maintaining a spiritual connection for guests and participants.
At 8:15 a.m., the Survivor Flag was raised—a powerful symbol of resilience and remembrance. Beginning at 9 a.m., visitors heard firsthand accounts from Anishnaabe survivors Marilyn Hopkins and Del Taylor, who shared their experiences in the Indian Day School system. Recordings from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada were played in select historic buildings.
“The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a time to listen, to learn and to honour the voices of Indigenous survivors,” said Will Baird, General Manager of Huronia Historical Parks.
Films that illuminate Indigenous resilience
Inside the museum, the documentary short Red Girl Rising was screened, highlighting the activism of Haudenosaunee Mohawk humanitarian Joyce Jonathan Crone. Sainte-Marie’s theatres also featured two powerful films courtesy of the Midland Public Library:
- Gather, a documentary exploring Indigenous food sovereignty and cultural reclamation
- Indian Horse, based on Richard Wagamese’s acclaimed novel, which follows an Anishnaabe boy’s journey through the residential school system
Interactive exhibits and cultural experiences
Visitors were able to walk through an exhibit on the 94 Calls to Action—a roadmap to reconciliation created by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. Guided tours focused on the Indigenous history of Sainte-Marie took place at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., and a smudge ceremony was held at 12:30 p.m.
Guests also had the opportunity to learn about Bannock, tea, and other Indigenous foodways that continue to shape cultural identity.
Free admission and online access
Admission to Sainte-Marie among the Hurons was free on September 30, and all were welcome. The program ran until 4 p.m. For those unable to attend in person, videos from Indigenous speakers will be available online from September 26 to October 5.
More details can be found at SainteMarieamongtheHurons.on.ca/events.