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Innisfil, ON – Members of the community are invited to a sunrise ceremony to recognize National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at Innisfil Beach Park on September 30. This important day honours Survivors of Canada’s residential school system and the children who never returned home.

The ceremony will begin at 7 a.m. led by Kelly Lavallee, Sitting Turtle Healing and Consultation. “The reason I do sunrise ceremony for days like September 30th is because it's a day for reflection and intention, it's a day where we honour all those that never woke up to see another day. We honour them by doing ceremony to begin our day. We wake up early to greet the grandfather sun and the eagle that flies high to give thanks that we woke up and took a breath. We give thanks for the unconditional love from creator and that eagle shows us,” says Kelly Lavallee.

The ceremony will take place near the lakeside pavilion—look for the sacred fire and share, listen, be a part of the circle.

Acknowledgment of the painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process. Beyond September 30, community members are encouraged to continue engaging in the work of Truth and Reconciliation with available resources at the Innisfil ideaLAB & Library and National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation.