Belleville’s Market Square was a sea of orange in the midday Monday (yesterday).
The city marked National Truth and Reconciliation Day with a special event featuring guest speakers and musicians from Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory.
Tyendinaga Mohawk Chief R Don Maracle said the crowd of around 200 was an indication that more and more people are interested in learning about the harms done in the residential school system.
Tyendinaga Mohawk Chief R Don Maracle. (Photo: Facebook/City of Belleville)
A survivor of that system, 89-year-old Wilbur Maracle of Tyendinaga, described some of the hardship inflicted on children in the schools.
The last Tyendinaga Mohawk survivor of the residential school system, 89-year-old Wilbur Maracle. (Photo: Quinte News)
Left to right: Belleville Mayor Neil Ellis, Wilbur Maracle, Chief R Don Maracle, city councillor and event emcee Sean Kelly. (Photo: Quinte News)
