River Mill Park was dressed in orange yesterday to celebrate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
The gathering started with a march over downtown with seven OPP cruisers helping close Main Street to allow people to march freely.
According to Mayor Nancy Alcock, it was the first year road access was restricted.
Following the march, Alcock, Joyce Crone, founder of Hope Arises Project Inc., and Huntsville Public Library representatives shared some words with the crowd.
“It is important we acknowledge and respect the history, culture and traditions of indigenous peoples who are the caretakers of our lands. Let us join together to honor, learn and recognize the relationship between peoples, nations and treaties that remain relevant today,” said Alcock.
After the speeches, Crone gave out ribbons with the names of children who attended residential schools. They later tied the ribbons to a tree in remembrance of the survivors.
Teachers and students from the Huntsville Public School and Pine Glen Public School joined the march and gathered in front of River Mill Park Rotary Bandshell.
