As National Truth and Reconciliation Week continues in Chatham-Kent, more organizations are stepping up to honour Residential School victims and survivors.
Local Indigenous leaders have teamed up with Come Together CK to create Orange Shirt Day pin making kits, available at each branch of the Chatham-Kent Public Library. Once the pins have been made, they can be kept or returned to the library to be handed out to other members of the community.
Takwihleew means “come together” in Lenape (the language of Delaware Nation at Moraviantown).
“This is history we should all learn about and remember, Indigenous and non-Indigenous,” said Lana Parenteau, Delaware First Nation member and former Chatham-Kent Indigenous Peer Navigator. “I still see the effects of the ‘60s Scoop’ and residential schools in our Indigenous communities today. Making these pins started as a small way to create a visual reminder of what we are working towards – truth and reconciliation.”
“We saw the impact of the Takwihleew during our work with Lana last year” said Brent Wilken, Executive Director, CTCK. “So many everyday citizens from all walks of life made pins with us or shared them with others. It is a grassroots experience that just goes to show that all of us can take the first steps in truth and reconciliation. We also encourage local businesses and community organizations to get involved and show their support for Indigenous people in Chatham-Kent either by donations to the pin-making kits or by holding pin-making sessions with their employees or patrons.”
Kits are also available at the local Indigenous Centre at 67 Adelaide St. S in Chatham. The Centre is open every day from 10am – 7pm until and including September 30 to make pins on-site. The Centre is also offering orange shirts for purchase with proceeds going to Indigenous community development efforts.