Photo by William Crooks
Participants in orange shirts march in Sherbrooke on Sept. 30, honouring residential school victims and survivors as part of Truth and Reconciliation Week.

By William Crooks

Local Journalism Initiative

On Monday, Sept. 30, the community gathered for the “Every Child Matters” march, part of Truth and Reconciliation Week, to honour the children who never returned home from residential schools and to support survivors. This followed a regional worship service on Sunday at Lennoxville United Church (LUC), where local United Church congregations came together to celebrate Truth and Reconciliation Sunday.

Marching for truth and reconciliation

The “Every Child Matters” march, organized by Bishop’s University’s Indigenous Student Support Centre, served as a public tribute to the lost children and survivors of the residential school system. Held on Orange Shirt Day, the march drew participants from across the region, dressed in orange as a symbol of remembrance and solidarity.

The event began at 12:30 p.m. at Parc Jacques-Cartier in Sherbrooke with ceremonial songs and speeches. By 2 p.m., marchers were moving through the streets, heading toward Marché de la Gare. Many carried signs and banners bearing messages of hope and reconciliation, as they paid tribute to those impacted by the residential school system.

Phyllis Webstad’s story of having her new orange shirt taken away on her first day at a residential school continues to resonate with communities across Canada, symbolizing the profound loss Indigenous children experienced. The march is part of a broader effort to ensure the history of residential schools is remembered and that reconciliation remains a priority.

A regional worship service of unity

The day before the march, the Lennoxville United Church hosted a significant regional worship service, uniting several United Church congregations from the St. Francis Cluster. Churches from Lennoxville, Waterville, Sherbrooke, Richmond, and other areas gathered for this special service, which focused on reconciliation and collaboration.

Shanna Bernier, a representative of the St. Francis Cluster, described in a recent interview the event’s significance, noting, “This was the first time since 2019 that all the churches in our region came together for a joint service of this magnitude. It was important to us not only to share resources but also to take this opportunity to celebrate Truth and Reconciliation Sunday collectively.”

The service included the dedication of the Mohawk Bible and the Abenaki Gospel of Mark, texts that hold deep cultural and spiritual significance for Indigenous communities. Though the invited Mohawk and Abenaki guests could not attend, the congregation honoured the contributions of Harvey Satewak Gabriel, whose decades-long work in translating the Bible into Mohawk was celebrated through a video presentation. This dedication marked an important step in the church’s ongoing efforts toward reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.

Musical contributions from an expanded choir, led by Maryse Simard, and a children’s story session Bernier added to the day’s significance. The worship concluded with a community lunch, prepared by Unit 6 of the United Church Women, as attendees reflected on the themes of unity and healing.

Truth and Reconciliation Week in Sherbrooke

In addition to the march and the worship service, several other events are being hosted during Truth and Reconciliation Week. The University of Sherbrooke (UdeS) and Bishop’s University have organized a series of activities focused on Indigenous healing and empowerment. These events, running from Sept. 30 to Oct. 4, aim to raise awareness of the lasting impact of residential schools and celebrate Indigenous knowledge and culture, according to a recent release.

Highlights of the week include cultural workshops, healing ceremonies, and guest lectures from Indigenous leaders. One particularly anticipated event is the screening of “Soleils Atikamekw”, followed by a discussion on Indigenous traditions and healing practices. These events are part of an ongoing effort to foster dialogue on reconciliation and offer participants a deeper understanding of the realities facing Indigenous communities today.

For more information, consult the UdeS and Bishop’s website.