“We honor those who didn’t come home,”: Lheidli T’enneh Chief on National Truth and Reconciliation Day

“The kids who didn’t come home gave us the voice to speak for them.”

That’s according to Lheidli T’enneh Chief Dolleen Logan ahead of tomorrow’s (Saturday) National Truth and Reconciliation Day and Orange Shirt Day festivities in Prince George.

The day kicks off at 9 a.m. with a healing gathering for Lheidli and other Indigenous members followed by the main ceremony at Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park, in the afternoon (2 p.m.).

Logan told MyPGNow.com that more people have been receptive to finding out more about their local First Nations in all parts of the country – a sign that is really encouraging.

“They’ve been taking more than five minutes. It’s about finding out the truth, they want to hear the truth – the truth is hard to hear but they listen and they understand. That’s really important for all of us.”

“Every day something new comes up, I learn something new every day about First Nations and reconciliation and schooling. It’s going to be a learning process for everybody and it will take all the time, not just one day but every day.”

“The kids that didn’t come home gave us the voice to speak for them. For us, the truth is out there and it’s getting out there more and more and that is the first step in reconciliation is the truth. Tomorrow is very important because we got to honour those who didn’t make it home.”

The day wraps up with a pair of sporting events as the PG Spruce Kings host the Merritt Centennials at 3 p.m. followed by the Kodiaks taking on the Okanagan Sun from Masich Place Stadium in BC Football Conference action at 7 o’clock.

Sept. 30 marks the #NDTR2023 and #OrangeShirtDay. A public ceremony is planned for 2 pm at Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park.

An orange flag is flying at City Hall to honour Survivors of residential schools and the children who never returned home, their families, and communities. pic.twitter.com/cDQyh7RKUB

— City of Prince George (@CityofPG) September 29, 2023