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 begins at 6 a.m. with a sunrise ceremony led by Troy Monague of Beausoleil First Nation. A sacred fire will be 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 will be raised—a powerful symbol of resilience and remembrance. Beginning at 9 a.m., visitors will hear firsthand accounts from Anishnaabe survivors Marilyn Hopkins and Del Taylor, who will share their experiences in the Indian Day School system. Recordings from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada will also be 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 will be screened, highlighting the activism of Haudenosaunee Mohawk humanitarian Joyce Jonathan Crone. Sainte-Marie’s theatres will also feature 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 can 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 will take place at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., and a smudge ceremony will be held at 12:30 p.m.
Guests will also have 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 is free on September 30, and all are welcome. The program runs 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.
