National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
by Lori Nelson & Shelby Smith
On September 30th, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, The Muse will be closed from 10 am – 2:30 pm. City staff and members of Council will spend this time together participating in educational sessions to commemorate the day, providing an opportunity to listen and learn about the history of residential schools, honour the victims of the tragedies, and support the survivors.
Because of the importance of the day and to provide opportunity for people to view two significant exhibitions at both the Lake of the Woods Museum and the Douglas Family Art Centre, both facilities will be open to the public on September 30th from 2:30 – 8:00 pm. Admission that day will be by donation.
On display at the Museum is Bakaan nake’ii ngii-izhi-gakinoo’amaagoomin | We were taught differently: The Indian residential school experience, an award-winning partnership exhibit, developed by the Museum with the NeChee Friendship Centre and the Lake of the Woods Ojibway Cultural Centre, in 2008. For the last 13 years, the exhibit has travelled across Canada to other museums, communities, universities and events. It examines the residential school experience with a particular focus on the two schools that were in Kenora – Cecilia Jeffrey and St. Mary’s – but within the broader national context.
On display at the Art Centre is Beads of Truth by Governor General Award winning Indigenous artist Ruth Cuthand. Her evocative works explore both historic and contemporary Indigenous issues, particularly related to health. Cuthand’s beaded representations of viruses, brain scans, and bacteria are a feast for the eyes!
Did you know?
The original telegraph lines from Winnipeg to Rat Portage were hung along the tops of living spruce trees.