Truth and Reconciliation: A Day to Remember, Reflect, and Learn

Reconciliation begins with truth. It grows through understanding, and it

continues through the relationships we build every day.

Today, on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we pause to honour the

children who never returned home from residential schools, the Survivors who carry

their experiences, and the families and communities whose lives have been forever

changed.

It is a day of remembrance, but it is also a day to listen, to learn, and to reflect on our

shared responsibilities. I believe that reconciliation can only happen with forgiveness

and we need to start to think about what that process looks like.

Here in Powell River, we live on the traditional territory of the Tla’amin Nation. The

history of this place extends far beyond the community we know today. Understanding

that history, acknowledging the injustices experienced by Indigenous peoples, and

recognizing the strength and resilience of the Tla’amin people are important parts of

understanding the place we all call home.

Reconciliation is not something that happens on one day of the year. It is an ongoing

process that requires humility, respect, and a willingness to have conversations that are

sometimes difficult.

It means listening to Indigenous voices and experiences. It means acknowledging the

past, sitting with uncomfortable truths, and working towards forgiveness. And it means

recognizing that strong communities are built through relationships grounded in mutual

respect.

As someone who cares deeply about Powell River and its future, I believe there is

tremendous value in continuing to strengthen the relationships between our

communities. We share this beautiful region, and there are opportunities to learn from

one another, build understanding, and support a future in which everyone feels a sense

of belonging.

Today, I encourage each of us to take time to reflect. Wear orange, learn something

new about the history of residential schools, listen to the stories of Survivors, or

participate in the local gathering that begins at 2:00 pm in the large parking lot behind Dwight Hall.

Above all, I ask that you remember that the work of reconciliation continues long after

September 30.

Every Child Matters. Every story deserves to be heard. And every day provides an

opportunity to move forward with greater understanding and respect.