Sherry HaaimaA river of orange wound its way downtown Renfrew and out to Ma-Te-Way Park Sept. 30.
The Renfrew Junior A Wolves hosted an event to mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, inviting youth and the community to join in the march from town hall and out to the park, where Algonquin Elders from the Kitchissippi Indigenous Association conducted a smudging and sacred pipe ceremony.
Vern Barr, chief of the Kitchissippi Indigenous Association, said his group was pleased to be involved in the event at the Ma-Te-Way Activity Centre, the future home of the Indigenous Cultural Centre that will be part of the expanded facility.
“There seems to be a great interest in Indigenous culture,” he said, noting the hard work of Chief Richard Zohr of the Bonnechere Algonquin First Nation in having the centre included in the expansion.
Following the ceremony, Junior A players joined the young attendees to play road hockey in the parking lot.
For immediate assistance to those who may need it, the National Indian Residential School Crisis Line is available 24 hours a day at 1-866-925-4419.
