We should all reflect on the horrors of the past and seek a way to help those who suffered.
Duncan, British Columbia. Under a brilliant autumn sky, a sea of marchers wove through the heart of the city of Duncan in a powerful display of unity, remembrance, and hope. The Truth and Reconciliation March, attended by hundreds, was more than just a symbolic walk, it was a living testament to the ongoing journey toward healing for Indigenous peoples and the broader Canadian community.
The march, now an annual event, drew participants from all walks of life—Indigenous elders, community leaders, students, families, and allies. As the group moved through the streets, many carried banners that bore messages like “Every Child Matters” and “Justice for Survivors,” while others held eagle feathers and wore traditional regalia, signifying a sacred commitment to truth and healing.
Chief Xtli’li’ye Lydia Hwitsum, the respected Chief Councillor of the Cowichan Tribes addressed the crowd before the march began. “Reconciliation is not just a word, it’s an action,” she said. “We are here today because we believe in healing. We are here for those who never returned, for the children who deserve to be remembered, and for a future where our children will not inherit this pain.”
At the heart of the march was a shared acknowledgment of the painful legacy of residential schools, which saw thousands of Indigenous children taken from their families, stripped of their culture, and subjected to abuse. Survivors of these institutions were at the forefront of the march, their stories of resilience inspiring a renewed commitment to the path of reconciliation.
For many non-Indigenous participants, the march was a deeply personal experience, too. Tribal Elders spoke of the meaning in the seven sacred teachings of the Anishinaabe people, love, respect, courage, honesty, wisdom, humility, and truth. “We’ve been learning about residential schools in class,” said one elder. “We’re walking with history.”
Among the marchers, families highlighted the importance of diversity and unity in the healing process. Rose Wilson, daughter of a residential school survivor, stressed the need for everyone—regardless of race, age, or background—to engage in sharing the painful history of these children.
As the march concluded, participants dispersed, yet the spirit of unity and resolve remained palpable. Though the walk had ended, the journey of reconciliation continues. “We walk together,” Chief Hwitsum affirmed, “because together is the only way we can move forward.”
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