
Thunder Bay, Fort William First Nation mark National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
CBC
People in Fort William First Nation marked the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with a powwow, with a promise to never forget the past, while moving looking ahead to the future.
The two-day powwow begun Thursday, following and early morning sunrise ceremony at 7:15 a.m.
The powwow, which is taking place on Anemki Wajiw — Mount McKay — drew hundreds of people, many wearing orange shirts.
Jimmy Mishquart, the powwow's master of ceremonies, said the event was about "giving strength to our people, our citizens, our communities."
"We must continue to keep walking forward and to never forget," said Mishquart, who's from Rocky Bay First Nation.
"But [we must] also pay honour and memory to those that have been taken away from us, and also ensuring that we keep our young ones close to us and passing down the teachings and traditions of our people."
Jingle dancer Melissa Roberts, who lives in Thunder Bay, was excited to participate in Thursday's event, as it had been more than a year since she'd danced in a powwow.

Health Minister Adriana LaGrange is alleging the former CEO of Alberta Health Services was unwilling and unable to implement the government's plan to break up the health authority, became "infatuated" with her internal investigation into private surgical contracts and made "incendiary and inaccurate allegations about political intrigue and impropriety" before she was fired in January.