A Truth and Reconciliation march united people in downtown Orillia on Monday.
Event emcee Chris Walser says the fourth annual event was organized by the Orillia Native Women's Group, Barrie Area Native Advisory Circle and Biminaawzogin Regional Aboriginal Women's Circle.
"Truth and Reconciliation Day is a day to reflect on Canada's history of residential schools," he said. "It's a reminder of the impact it's had on Indigenous families since its inception."
Walser hopes today's event raises awareness for Indigenous history among all Canadians.
"We want to respect all of those families that have been affected and all the children who didn't make it home," he said. "All of the survivors came home without their culture and their language."
The event brought around 400 people to the Orillia Public Library parking lot before a parade marched down Coldwater Road and into Couchiching Beach Park.
"For a lot of years, this history has been denied and hasn't been accepted by Canada," Walser said. "Now, through events such as this, we are bringing awareness to what has happened so we can start that healing journey."
Walser, who is originally from Christian Island, encourages people to continue learning about Indigenous history and culture.
"If that moves you, stand with us," he said. "Make those changes that need to happen."
Orillia Mayor Don McIsaac and Rama First Nation Chief Ted Williams were in attendance for Monday's event.
Walser says their presence was appreciated.
"It's important that we have allies in our local communities," he said. "It's great that we have the support from our local politicians."
McIsaac says the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a reminder of the past and the growth that can happen in the future.
"I look individually at the 94 calls to action to see which ones have been completed and which ones need help," he said. "I think about how I can personally help and encourage others to help."
McIsaac says it's important for the march to take place in Orillia each year.
"The slogan says it — Every Child Matters — and we need to focus on it," he said. "I look at Truth and Reconciliation every day — it's not just one day a year."
For Williams, Truth and Reconciliation Day is an opportunity to commemorate the youth who couldn’t reach their potential because of residential schools.
"It's incumbent on us today to recognize and honour that," he said. "It's also incumbent on each one of us to reach our potential."
Williams says it was meaningful to see people from the Orillia community rallying behind Indigenous communities on Monday.
"Rama has developed a strong partnership with Orillia," he said. "The fact that Mayor McIsaac is here says a lot about the relationship and the willingness to learn, participate and lead."
Walser thanks the Orillia OPP for keeping participants of the event safe on Monday afternoon by directing traffic.
