Shared on behalf of Annette Klement, Cultural Safety Educator, Indigenous Collaboration, Equity & Inclusion
In honour of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30, also known as Orange Shirt Day, the joint Indigenous Health Education Committee (SJCG & TBRHSC) will be hosting a four-day Sacred Fire from Wednesday, September 27 to Saturday, September 30 at the Sister Margaret Smith Centre Tipi.
A Sacred Fire is an Indigenous ceremony that promotes healing by connecting to our ancestors and histories. The Fire will be lit in honour of all the children who did not return home from Residential Schools, the Survivors of the Residential School System, and the Indigenous Peoples who continue working through the intergenerational impacts.
The Sacred Fire will commence with a Sunrise Ceremony on September 27 and will be tended to 24 hours a day by Fire Keepers, Knowledge Keepers, Elders, and members of the SJCG N’doo’owe Binesi team until the morning of September 30. Members of the Indigenous Health Education Committee will also be on-site to provide assistance and guidance throughout the week.
TBRHSC staff and their families are invited to attend the Sacred Fire at their convenience throughout the four days.
A webinar presentation is scheduled for Tuesday, September 19, 2023, from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. The presentation will provide more information on the Sacred Fire and the significance of Orange Shirt Day.
Where – Webex (https://thunderbayhospitals.webex.com/thunderbayhospitals/j.php?MTID=mbcd466bb400a99383fe70af4559226a8)
We hope you will take the time to join us and learn something new about Orange Shirt Day.