Indigenous ceremony at Burlington’s Sweetgrass Park focussed on unity, healing

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Published February 28, 2022 at 11:29 am

An Indigenous ceremony in Burlington’s newly-renamed Sweetgrass Park focussed on unity, healing and remembrance.

The recent event was led with songs and words from indigenous elders and teachers, including White Eagle and Stephen Paquette.

Several local officials were at the event, including MP Karina Gould, Mayor Marianne Meed Ward, and city councillors Shawna Stolte and Rory Nissan.

Meed Ward described the event, which was attended by local families as “incredibly moving.”

“We did a round dance together for Williams Lake First Nation in remembrance of the ongoing discovery of graves at former residential schools. We threw tobacco into the fire and spoke our words,” said the mayor.

“Thank you to everyone who came. It was very uplifting and hopeful. We are taking steps each day toward a better future for us all, in our commitment to truth and reconciliation.”

Sweetgrass Park is located on Woodview Rd. and was previously named Ryerson Park.

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