The province’s first ever heart garden was unveiled earlier today at Government House.
The garden is a tribute to everyone who was affected by the residential school system, from those who survived to those who never made it home.
The event began with a traditional smudging ceremony and a prayer. When the concrete heart at the centre of the garden was unveiled, a tobacco ceremony was performed by a number of representatives.
Elder Emma begins the ceremony with a prayer @VOCMNEWS pic.twitter.com/4iqxGKn92e
— Richard Duggan (@RDugganVOCM) June 21, 2019
Members of the Indigenous community followed with speeches—a clear message ringing through: That we need to honour those affected by residential schools, and make sure what happened is remembered, so that it never happens again.
Memebers of Eastern Owl play their original song, Baby, which is about the residential school system @VOCMNEWS pic.twitter.com/bBjLnn3PJd
— Richard Duggan (@RDugganVOCM) June 21, 2019
Lieutenant Governor Judy Foote says the garden is another step forward in the healing process.
She says that the garden was erected in the spirit on reconciliation, to bring people of Indigenous and non-Indigenous backgrounds together to help understand their histories.
St. Bons and Hazelwood elementary school children lay their own tributes at the heart garden @VOCMNEWS pic.twitter.com/z89Xp2zMWM
— Richard Duggan (@RDugganVOCM) June 21, 2019
