Hundreds of school children to honour residential school survivors in moving Heart Garden ceremony at Rideau Hall, June 3
(Ottawa, ON) –Hundreds of school children will join Indian Residential School survivors on June 3 at Rideau Hall in what promises to be a moving conclusion to the ceremonial close of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).
A joint initiative of the TRC, KAIROS, Project of Heart, and the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society, the Honouring Memories, Planting Dreams Ceremony brings together children from the Ottawa-Gatineau area and residential school survivors in planting hearts with messages of reconciliation from across Canada.
The hearts, attached to wooden gardening stakes, will be planted in the lawn outside Rideau Hall, the Governor General’s residence. Some hearts will be planted by survivors and other dignitaries attending the ceremonial close of the TRC.
Following the ceremony, which includes young First Nation, Inuit and Metis performers, and a rendition of ‘Sing’ by the Ottawa Catholic School Board Children’s Choir, the children will lead a procession away from Rideau Hall to symbolize that children will lead us towards a future of reconciliation.
Similar Heart Garden ceremonies are planned at churches and in communities across the country from May 31 to June 3.
WHAT Honouring Memories, Planting Dreams Ceremony.
WHEN Wednesday, June 3; noon to 1:50 p.m.
Media interviews with speakers: 11:15 to noon, and at 2:00 p.m.
WHERE Rideau Hall, 1 Sussex Drive, Ottawa
WHO Jennifer Henry, Executive Director, KAIROS Canada
Cindy Blackstock, Executive Director First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada.
Charlene Bearhead, National Coordinator, Project of Heart
Marie Wilson, TRC Commissioner
For more details visit: kairoscanada.org/events/time4reconciliation/hearts-gardens
About KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives
KAIROS is a faith-based social justice organization of eleven Canadian churches and religious organizations. It focuses on Indigenous rights, international human rights and ecological justice. We deliberate on issues of common concern, advocate for social change and join with people of faith and goodwill in action for social transformation. To learn more, visit kairoscanada.org.
– 30 –
Media Contact:
Cheryl McNamara Ed Bianchi
Media Coordinator Programs Manager
877-403-8933 x 246 613-235-9956
416-875-0097 (mobile) 613-799-1995 (mobile)
cmcnamara@kairoscanada.org ebianchi@kairoscanada.org
