City marks Indigenous Solidarity Day as Canada grapples with residential schools' legacy
City Hall and other London buildings will be lit orange in solidarity on Indigenous Solidarity Day.
June 21 is the 25th annual Indigenous Solidarity Day celebrating the heritage, diverse cultures and achievements of First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples.
While the day is meant to be a day of celebration it is also comes as the nation grapples with the discovery a burial site for 215 child victims at a Residential School in Kamloops, B.C.
Since the discovery more burial sites have been found at other schools across the nation.
Last Tuesday, Ontario announced new funding to aid in the search for more burial sites.
Locally, events are being held to mark the day but also the discovery of the burial sites and the ongoing efforts towards healing and understanding across Canada.
SUPPORT NEEDED FOR HEALING LODGE
A fundraising campaign has been launched to rebuild the Anishinaabe Round House on Chippewas of the Thames First Nation, southwest of London.
The official launch coincides with National Indigenous Peoples Day.
The Round House will be a "vibrant place of learning, healing, and growth for local communities, providing a space to gather, celebrate, and connect with land, traditional ceremonies, and one another," according to a statement from Chippewas of the Thames First Nation organizers.
Betsy Waawaaskone Kechego explains, “The name of the Round House is Nimkii Binesi Zaswaaning, and that means ‘the Thunderbird’s Nest’. The reason why we picked that name is because it’s part of Ojibwe history that it is the Thunderbirds that bring life. Every time they come there is a renewal of life. We thought that name would be perfect because when we build this lodge we are in hopes that our community and all the people that come here, whatever it is they need at that time, that renewal of life, those teachings, a good way of life, it comes for them.”
More than $10,000 has been raised so far.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
'Life was not fair to him': Daughter of N.B. man exonerated of murder remembers him as a kind soul
The daughter of a New Brunswick man recently exonerated from murder, is remembering her father as somebody who, despite a wrongful conviction, never became bitter or angry.
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.