Circle gathering on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Young and old gathered in a circle around a sacred fire on Saturday in Espanola in support of reconciliation.

Young and old gathered in a circle around a sacred fire on Saturday in Espanola, west of Greater Sudbury.

The crowd heard from survivors of residential schools who shared words of support and encouragement toward reconciliation.

“The circle is very significant image for First Nations people but also for every person. The circle is a representation of life itself,” said Josh Eshkawkogan, a knowledge healer with the Noojmowin Teg Health Centre.

“The fire within as in the sacred fire we lit this morning to ignite everyone’s fire and to be able to recognize our children’s fire.”

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation gathering was hosted by the health centre and the Town of Espanola.

“We partnered with them because we feel very strongly that we need to get the information out that we have to be very open to all the truths that have happened,” said Espanola Mayor Doug Gervais.

Officials with Noojmowin Teg Health Centre told CTV News that unity is as important as education for true reconciliation.