The Sixth Annual Every Child Matters Pow Wow brought together traditional people, Elders, youth and community members of every background for a day of commemoration and acknowledgement. The gathering was held at Civic Park in Kirkland Lake to commemorate ‘National Day for Truth and Reconciliation’ and ‘Orange Shirt Day’, two observances that acknowledge the history of the Residential School era in Canada.
In traditional Indigenous culture, a Pow Wow is primarily a spiritual gathering of ceremony, commemoration, reflection, and remembrance, and also a time for celebration and entertainment. The Every Child Matters Pow Wow was collaboratively organized by Keepers of the Circle, Mino M’Shki-ki Family Health Team and the First Nations of Beaverhouse, Matachewan and Timiskaming.
“This is an event that acknowledges the history of our ancestors who survived the residential school period but also remembers our families and community members who experienced this reality and are still here today. It’s really important for the public to come out to acknowledge this history and join us in recognising what this day means for the survivors,” said Chief Wayne Wabie, Beaverhouse FN.
https://www.wawataynews.ca/culture/sixth-annual-every-child-matters-pow-wow-kirkland-lake