Thorold, Ontario event to bring awareness and action to Truth & Reconciliation across Turtle Island!
September 8, 2023
Thorold, Ontario—The Indigenous Diabetes Health Circle (IDHC) is honoured to host a special gathering on Saturday, September 9, 2023, to commemorate all efforts towards Truth and Reconciliation. All are welcome.
This event will comprise a community gathering for Indigenous and non-Indigenous community, allies, and partners. Together, the community will reflect on Indigenous health and wellness, while also highlighting the importance of collaborating to better service Indigenous Peoples in various sectors of society. The event will emphasize the importance of creating safe and inclusive spaces, and promote awareness of Indigenous Peoples and ways of knowing.
About the National Day for Truth & Reconciliation
The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation officially falls on September 30 and is intended to honour all Indigenous children who never returned home from Residential Schools. The policy of these government- and church-run institutions was to “kill the Indian in the child” and assimilate Indigenous children into the general fabric of Canadian society. Today, within communities, Indigenous Peoples continue to witness and experience the harmful intergenerational impacts caused by these historic actions. We are encouraged to work collectively toward awareness, re-empowerment and healing—while remembering and revitalizing Traditional practices.
Agenda for the Gathering:
• 10:00 a.m. Opening ceremony and public addresses from local leadership
• 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. “Unity Walk”
• 12:00 p.m. Healthy Indigenous lunch
The location for the event will be Canada Games Park 2021 Canada Games Way Thorold, Ontario, L2V 4Y6, across from Brock University.
Roslynn Baird, the Executive Director of the IDHC congratulates the multifaceted team that worked so diligently to increase the consciousness of Truth and Reconciliation across Turtle Island. Ms. Baird commented “Let’s unite on this day with all members of our community to promote mutually positive relationships—as well as to strongly encourage continued learning and action around Truth and Reconciliation.”
As colleagues, partners, and allies gather, each are reminded that Truth and Reconciliation is a practice that involves all people. It involves revealing and acknowledging the truth and identifying the spreading, pervasive, ripple effects of residential schools. It involves reparations that are possible only through awareness, education, understanding, respectful relationships and inclusivity. The practice, and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, and this Community gathering in Thorold, each embraces and upholds the unique and distinct cultures of Indigenous Peoples across Canada.
You are invited to join in this gathering, a special chapter in the book of Truth and Reconciliation.
About the IDHC
The IDHC has over 25 years of experience in Indigenous diabetes health promotion, including training and program development. The IDHC delivers programs focusing on diabetes education, prevention and management in Indigenous communities in Ontario, both on and off reserve — serving First Nation, Métis and Inuit communities. Facilitating community capacity, building upon traditional strengths and supporting community-driven programming remain IDHC’s core focus.
For additional information, please contact:
Kathleen LaForme, Traditional Wellness Coordinator
Indigenous Diabetes Health Circle (IDHC)
T. 1-888-514-1370 C. 905-388-6010 E. twcoordinator@idhc.life
Crystal Bomberry, Training Lead
Indigenous Diabetes Health Circle (IDHC)
T. 1-888-514-1370 C. 519-750-0893 E. traininglead@idhc.life
