'We got an orange sea': thousands walk through downtown Winnipeg for truth and reconciliation
Thousands of people marked Canada's second annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with a walk through downtown Winnipeg Friday.
The second annual Every Child Matters walk began in Oodena circle at The Forks. People gathered to participate in a pipe ceremony and opening prayers, followed by speeches from indigenous elders and chiefs.
''Today is a national day of reconciliation. You know for us as a people it means something," said Cornell Mclean, acting grand chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs.
''They can't take the Indian out of us. They made us stronger," he told the crowd.
Their stories and words were felt by attendees, who say it helped them to see their family isn't grieving the effects of residential schools alone.
''To be here and honour the children that never made it home and all the survivors," said one attendee.
Organizers say anywhere between 20,000 to 40,000 people joined the morning's walk, which made its way through The Forks, into downtown Winnipeg, and ended with a powwow at the RBC Convention Centre.
It was standing room only at the convention centre as crowds felt the weight of the event, watching children and survivors dance together.
The powwow was held by the Wa-Say Healing Centre. Executive director Wayne Mason Sr. said every person wearing orange is playing a role in moving reconciliation forward, one person at a time.
"This room is full of orange. We got an orange sea," he said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Here's how much more Canadian landlords are asking for now, according to a just-released report
A new report says the average asking rent for a home in Canada in April was up 9.3 per cent compared with a year ago, while a slight month-over-month increase was also recorded for the first time since January.
What is basic income, and how would it impact me?
Parliamentarians are considering a pair of bills aiming to lift people out of poverty through a basic income program, but some fear these types of systems could result in more taxes for Canadians who are already financially struggling.
Canada abstains from Palestinian UN membership vote but supports two-state solution
Canada was one of 25 countries that abstained from a United Nations vote on Palestinian membership that passed with overwhelming support on Friday.
More than half the Canadians once detained in Syrian camps for suspected ISIS family members have returned home
A total of 29 Canadians have been freed from detention camps in northeast Syria and brought back to Canada since human rights advocates began lobbying for their release years ago.
'I may have some nightmares:' Man survives being bitten by 2 sharks in Bahamas
A man who was bitten by two sharks in the Bahamas said Thursday he's 'thankful that I'm here' while sharing his story of survival.
Rare severe solar storm Friday could bring spectacular aurora light show across Canada
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Out-of-control wildfire burning near Fort McMurray
As of 9 a.m. on Friday, the wildfire burning 28 kilometres southwest of the northeastern Alberta city was 25 hectares in size.
Mexico's president accuses press and volunteer searchers for missing people of 'necrophilia'
The administration of Mexico's president has accused the press and volunteer searchers who look for the bodies of missing people of 'necrophilia,' comments that drew criticism this week.