At least one thousand people took part in this year’s walk for the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation in Fort Frances.

This year’s walk was held the Friday before the actual day to avoid conflicts with others talking part in various communities across the region.

The weather shortened this year’s event.

It started at Point Park, leading to the residential monument at the Nanicost building.

Florence Yerxa was among the many Elders and residential school Survivors taking part.

She attended the school in Fort Frances for just one year.

“That year I was there, I was sick all the time, and I was very lonesome. I knew where I came from. When I first came here, I came from down by boat. I was only like six, seven years old at that time. I came in with my sister and my aunt, and I was a very lonesome child the whole year I was there. I was always sick,” says Yerxa.

“At recess time, when we were let out, I always looked up that way where I came from, watching for my mom and dad to come and get me. But every time they came to see me at the school, I was sick. Once I was in the hospital, they came and saw me at the hospital. So the following year, they didn’t bring me back. And I never got sick after that.”

Yerxa is glad to see people turn out for the walk, especially the many young people.

This year’s organizing committee will have one final event to close out a week of events recognizing National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
A sunrise ceremony and breakfast will take place on the grounds of the Nanicost building on September 30 from 7-11 a.m.