PHOTOS: Monument unveiled in Tyendinaga honouring those affected by the residential school system

The sixth annual Every Child Matters Walk in Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory took place on National Day for Truth & Reconciliation on Wednesday.

Organized by the Tyendinaga Native Women’s Association, the walk is organized to reflect, acknowledge and honour the children who returned from the residential school system, the ones who didn’t, and those left waiting in silence.

Approximately 200 people began at the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte Administration Building at 11 a.m. and walked to the Karonhiaktakie Sports Complex.

Following the walk, speeches were delivered by members of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, including from Chief R. Don Maracle and the oldest surviving member from Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory of the residential school system, Wilbur Maracle.

“The goal was to assimilate First Nations people into the body politics, so they would be just like British people,” Chief Maracle said in his speech.

“They would no longer speak their language. They would not know their history. They would be separated from their families and the influence of their family, their culture, and their identity would take on a new version of a new British subject.”

A monument was unveiled containing the names of those affected by the residential school system.

The monument, created by Campbell Monument, contains a QR code containing a website link that provides educational resources and local residential school history.

Photos can be found below:

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With files from John Spitters