Truth and Reconciliation Day comes early at Hamilton’s Gage Park

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation might not be until Monday, but the Indigenous community in Hamilton is coming together in advance.

Gage Park drew a crowd on Friday for the first day of the third-annual Truth and Reconciliation event.

An event organizer says it’s “about bringing community together, building community, building connections and celebrating our culture.”

Along with positive stories told at the event through music, dance, and art, some difficult narratives are shared as well.

Survivors of the atrocities at Canada’s residential schools attend the event every year, to remind people of the not-so-distant past.

“You really want people to understand that it happened, and if you don’t tell that story, and then reinforce that it happened with children, the general public is not going to know,” survivor Dawn Hill said.

But, the Indigenous community says it wants to look to the future as well, and focus on reclaiming their culture.

The event continues tomorrow.