The Pontiac Native Community hosted a ceremony to mark the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at their recently constructed healing garden in Mansfield.

A group of around 20 gathered around a fire and began with a smudging ceremony. Attendees were given a chance to speak about the day and the importance of remembering the pain and suffering inflicted upon Indigenous children and their families by Canada’s residential schools.

One of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s calls to action was the creation of a statutory holiday for remembrance, which parliament established as Sept. 30 back in June.

Pontiac Native Community President Richer Lévesque said that he was glad the government had created an official holiday to honour the lost, the survivors and their communities. He added that the provinces should follow suit and recognize the day as well:

Lévesque said that he was pleased with the turnout to the ceremony:

The event concluded with a song followed by a 215 seconds of silence, a reference to the remains of 215 children in unmarked graves that were uncovered this May outside a former residential school near Kamloops B.C.