Honouring survivors of Canada’s residential school system – and to remember those children who never came home – Portage College will hold its annual Sunrise Ceremony on Monday, Sept. 30.
The sunrise ceremony is part of the events that are taking place in Lac La Biche on Monday for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Local events will also include a walk that starts at 11 a.m. at the Parkland II Motel and goes to McArthur Place. A flag-raising ceremony, a community lunch, and musical performances.
According to Robert Rayko, Portage College’s cultural and community facilitator, the sunrise ceremony, which has been held at college since 2021, is an ancient custom that has a significant place in Indigenous culture.
“The sun allows for regrowth, which is important when discussing truth and reconciliation,” Rayko told Lakeland This Week.
Those interested in attending this year’s ceremony are asked to be at the soccer field west to the Portage College Lac La Biche campus at 7 a.m.
This sunrise ceremony, Rayko explained, will include stories from Indigenous community members – many with their own personal accounts of Canada’s residential schooling system. Drummers, dancers, and singers, he continued, will perform the Honour Song and various other songs out of respect for the children who were in residential schools.
Online viewing
Thanks to funding from the federal government, he said, organizers of the sunrise ceremony are also able to provide an online video link of the event for those who cannot attend in person.
“All are welcome to attend and experience this special event,” Rayko said, adding that refreshments and breakfast oatmeal will be served to participants.
In addition to remembering all those affected by the continuing legacy of the residential school system, the ceremony, Rayko explained, is meant to educate all community members about a part of Canadian history that has largely been forgotten.
“It is important and helps create a better understanding of residential schools and for the path that Indigenous peoples have been on,” he stated.
Truth and Reconciliation Day in Canada was officially recognized in 2021 with the passing of Bill C-5 in Canada’s Parliament. Organizers of events held across Canada encourage residents to wear orange clothing to commemorate the special day of remembrance, recognition and awareness.