A Supplement to the Free Press | September 27, 2025
A SUPPLEMENT TO
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2025
for TRUTH and RECONCILIATION #NDTR #EveryChildMatters NATIONAL DAY
PIXILRAY/ADOBESTOCK TWIN DESIGN STUDIO/ADOBESTOCK CHERRYBLOSSOM77/ADOBESTOCK
Proudly serving communities across Manitoba since 1978 . WWW.JOINMEDIAN.CA
View online at winnipegfreepress.com/fp-features
2 National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
SUPPLEMENT TO THE FREE PRESS • SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2025
Photo by Darcy Finley
Plumbing the Depths of Opportunity: Jordan Beach’s Story of Growth with FPDI
By Jim Timlick Jordan Beach had a comfortable job working as a customer service representative for a large corporation, but there was something about the work that had him feeling unsatisfied. “When I was doing the office job, it was pretty nice. But being inside all day was not for me. I prefer being outside and doing more physical work,” he says. It was about the same time this past spring when Beach learned about the plumbing course offered through First People’s Development Inc. (FPDI) a non-profit organization that facilitates partnerships aimed at developing and delivering training-to-employment programs in partnership with 28 Manitoba First Nations communities.
FPDI’s plumbing program is offered in conjunction with the Piping Industry Technical College of Manitoba. It’s a 10-month program that teaches students about the latest plumbing industry techniques and tools and provides them with hands-on opportunities to learn everything from cutting and measuring pipe to installing valves, read blueprints and interpret plumbing code. Tuition is free for qualifying applicants. Beach, 26, learned about the program after seeing a post for it on Facebook and was immediately intrigued. He was accepted into the program a few weeks later and began his studies in early May. “When I found out about the program I thought it was the perfect opportunity for me,” he recalls. One of the things Beach quickly came to enjoy about the program was the level of support provided by the instructors and support staff at FPDI. “I honestly looked forward to going (to class) every day. The instructor, Craig Gertley, made understanding certain things really easy. If you didn’t understand something, he would show you visual representations and explained everything in detail and made sure everyone was on the same page,” he says. “And the people at FPDI like (program coordinator) Chelsea (Lavallee), she was very helpful and knowledgeable. If we ever needed help, we could always contact her and she would have answers. Everyone was so helpful. The support was on another level. I never felt like I was alone or I needed to do everything on my own.” Beach proved to be a quick study. In August, a little more than three months after enrolling in FPDI’s plumbing program, he was hired by Randall Plumbing and Heating to begin a Level 1 apprenticeship as a steamfitter. He is currently part of a crew tasked with transforming Machray Hall at the University of Manitoba into a state-of-the-art facility for the school’s Faculty of Science that will feature a new central atrium, informal reading areas and improved meeting rooms. The project is slated to be completed by late 2026. One of Beach’s first jobs on the site was transferring cast iron pipe to the top floors of the building for a new drainage and waste system in the building. He’s carried out a multitude of tasks since then and he’s loving every minute of the experience. “That’s the one thing I really enjoy about this field. Every two days, it’s a different task that we’re doing. It’s not like you’re doing the same thing day after day. You’re always learning something new. And a lot of the journeymen on the site are always friendly and willing to teach you. It’s a good environment to be around,” he says. Beach doubts any of what he is experiencing now would have been possible without the education and encouragement he received through FPDI’s plumbing program. “It helped a lot,” he says. “Just in the short time that I was there, they helped me to understand the basics and what was actually needed out in the field. I’m able to identify certain things, certain types of pipe and tools, and I know what tool to use for a job. There’s a lot of things that I would never have understood if I wasn’t in the program.” Beach says his ultimate career goal is to complete his five years of apprenticeship training and become a journeyman plumber. In the meantime, he has a few words of advice for anyone who may find themselves in the same position he was just a few months ago. “If you look at this (program) and it looks like something you might want to do, go for it. I enjoyed every day at the school. It’s a very fun and knowledgeable program.” To learn more about our FPDI’s programs and initiatives, please visit www.FPDINC.ca.
Honouring the Past, Shaping the Future
FPDI proudly celebrates the achievements of our dedicated program participants and remains committed to creating opportunities that empower Indigenous peoples to build a brighter future, despite the lasting impacts of the past.
On September 30, we observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation by wearing orange to honour the survivors, children, families, and communities impacted by the residential school system.
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 3
SUPPLEMENT TO THE FREE PRESS • SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2025
As Canadians gather to recognize the significance of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (NDTR), it is essential to remember that the detailed truths at the heart of the occasion are preserved and housed right here at the heart of the continent, where it will also soon create a permanent home. DEDICATED TO HONOURING RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL SURVIVORS, FAMILIES NATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION:
E stablished in 2008, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) embarked on a monumental journey to document the history of the residential school system and its impact on Indigenous peoples. The Commission’s final report was released in 2015, including 94 Calls to Action, aimed at charting a course toward reconciliation and healing. The great volume of records, documents and Survivor truths that resulted from the Commission’s work is now housed at the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) at the University of Manitoba. A
fundraising campaign is currently underway to create a permanent home for NCTR at the Fort Garry Campus. “The NCTR is a place of truth, where Survivors’ voices will live forever. Our mission is to honour Survivors and their families by safeguarding their statements, advancing education, and fostering truth and reconciliation,” says NCTR executive director, Stephanie Scott, the daughter of a residential school Survivor and a Sixties Scoop Survivor. “The centre promotes public understanding of how residential schools were part of a broader history of violent attempts to erase Indigenous cultures and
identities, and it works to ensure that this history is acknowledged, learned and carried forward.” Over the past 10 years, the NCTR has grown to become a vital hub for truth, memory, and reconciliation. The centre currently cares for more than four million records, including thousands of Survivor statements. Scott says the centre prioritizes accessibility, with more than 218,000 pages provided directly to Survivors and more than 80,000 records released for public use. It has played an important role in identifying thousands of missing and disappeared children. It also continues to develop and deliver significant programs and events to ensure the truths of Survivors are acknowledged and understood by present and future generations. “This year, the NCTR will, once again, host Truth and Reconciliation Week, a national educational program for schools, as well as the Remembering the Children gathering, which will be broadcast live to Canadians from coast to coast to
coast,” says Scott. “September 30 is not just a day of remembrance – it is a day of learning and action. We work with many partners, including the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation, to bring the truths to light.” NCTR’s essential work will continue for many years to come as plans continue to take shape for the design and construction of its new permanent home. “Our new home will provide a larger, purpose-built space to house the archives, welcome Survivors and their families, and serve as an international learning and research centre,” says Scott. “This building will honour the Survivors who entrusted us with their truths and provide a place for Canadians to learn, reflect and act.
Our new building will also serve as an international model for other countries who are doing their work for truth and reconciliation.” 2025 marks the 10th anniversary of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s conclusion, a milestone that continues to inspire and strengthen the resolve of Scott and the NCTR board and staff. “Ten years on, our commitment to Survivors is stronger than ever,” says Scott. “As we reflect on the past decade, the NCTR is also looking forward – building a new home, expanding our reach, and tackling denialism head-on. We remain steadfast in our responsibility to Survivors and to Canada: to preserve the truth, challenge misinformation, and educate generations to come.” ▲
“In just 10 years, we’ve grown considerably as a national centre and we continue to move forward with our critical mission.”
– STEPHANIE SCOTT, NCTR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
NCTR SURVIVOR CIRCLE
SUPPLIED PHOTOS
WCB honours National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
We remember the children who never returned home, and acknowledge the trauma of the survivors, their families and their communities. We must all work together in creating a better way forward.
4 National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
SUPPLEMENT TO THE FREE PRESS • SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2025
TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WINNIPEG
SUPPLIED PHOTOS
Observed annually on September 30th, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation was established by the federal government in 2021 to honour residential school survivors, their families, and communities. Also known as Orange Shirt Day, it is an opportunity to continue to acknowledge the wrongs of the past, learn from them, and support those who were impacted.
BY JANINE LEGAL E arlier this month, the Manitoba government announced a $20 million commitment towards the construction of a permanent home for the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) at the University of Manitoba. The new facility will serve as a home for sacred entities and historical records, including oral testimonies from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada that documented the history and ongoing impact of the residential school system on Indigenous children, their families and communities. Over at the downtown University of Winnipeg campus, National Day of Truth and Reconciliation events were planned to run over a period of time leading up to the noteworthy day. Grace Redhead, Director of Indigenous Community Relations, said planning was being done differently this year to ensure more representation.
“New this year, the Truth and Reconciliation committee is pulling folks from units across campus, including deans, faculty, staff… spreading the work, so it’s not all sitting with one individual unit. We are bringing all that together.” The University of Winnipeg’s Truth and Reconciliation week started on the morning of September 22nd, with the raising of the Survivors’ flag in front of Wesley Hall. Designed by Survivors with the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, the Survivors’ flag honours all the lives and communities impacted by residential schools. Hosted by Associate Vice-President, Indigenous Engagement, the public event featured Dr. Chantal Fiola, with remarks by President and Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Todd Mondor and Dr. Mary Jane McCallum. Special guests included Wayne Mason, from the Southern Chiefs Organization, who shared information about their upcoming walk and powwow. The flag will remain up
until after the 30th, continuing to illuminate Wesley Hall, and will stay lit orange for the week. On September 23rd, UWSA, CFS, and Indigenous Engagement were busy distributing 500 orange shirts to the campus community. This year’s shirt features artwork by Micaela Gilbert, Anishinaabe artist from Sagkeeng First Nation. Everyone is welcome to wear their orange shirts throughout the week. September 25th featured an informative lecture titled Lux et Veritas: Shedding Light and Truth on the University of Winnipeg’s History with the Indian Residential School System. The public event examined Obligation 39 of the 2024 final report of the Office of the Independent Special Interlocutor for Missing Children and Unmarked Graves and Burial Sites associated with Indian Residential Schools, which urges universities to investigate their role in the residential school system and make reparations. It explored the links between residential schools and the
founding colleges of UWinnipeg, emphasizing the University’s ongoing responsibility to address the historic harms. On Monday, September 29th, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Convocation Hall, Sheila North will host a fireside chat and book signing with author Bruce Mcivor, exploring his book Indigenous Rights in One Minute: What You Need to Know to Talk Reconciliation. The campus bookstore will be there selling his books. Internationally renowned as an expert in Aboriginal law and an advocate for Indigenous rights, Bruce McIvor delivers concise, essential information for Canadians committed to truth and reconciliation, offering plain answers to 100 essential questions being asked by Canadians across the country. To mark the end of the week-long celebrations, the University of Winnipeg will join in and contribute to the events of September 30th.
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 5
SUPPLEMENT TO THE FREE PRESS • SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2025
WHEN CULTURE DRIVES CHANGE,
Learn more at UWINNIPEG.CA
The University of Winnipeg’s Truth and Reconciliation week started on the morning of September 22nd, with the raising of the Survivors’ flag in front of Wesley Hall.
“We are supporting the Southern Chiefs as they do their walk and powwow,” said Redhead. “Forty volunteers from campus will join them on September 30th.” There will be a Healing Walk to honour Survivors and loved ones who never made it home. A pipe ceremony will begin at 10:00 a.m. at the Oodena Circle at the Forks. The healing walk will start at 11:00 a.m. and travel to the RBC Convention Centre. The Orange Shirt Day Powwow takes place at the RBC Convention Centre on the third floor. The Grand Entry is at 1:00 p.m. On the 10th anniversary of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s final report, Redhead says she sometimes thinks that progress hasn’t been fast enough, but upon reflection, she sees some of that progress in
action, which provides hope that things will continue to improve. “For me, I’m also an intergenerational Sur- vivor. My father and older brother attended schools. Reconciliation is part of my healing, and trying to understand my family’s experi- ence,” Redhead explained, pointing out that in her work it’s crucial to share resources in order to increase understanding. Redhead strongly believes in lifelong learning and recommends a few essential resources for further learning. “The TRC Final Reports are a heavy read, but so important. I would also recommend the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation as a fantastic resource. GoodMinds has put together a good
list of books for additional reading.” Visit www.uwinnipeg.ca/events/ ▲
6 National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
SUPPLEMENT TO THE FREE PRESS • SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2025
The Assiniboine Park Conservancy has been observing Orange Shirt Day since 2021 and for the third year in a row is hosting a sacred fire to mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and to honour the resilience, strength, and bravery of the Survivors of the residential school system. Fire, a sacred gift from the Creator, is used across many Indigenous traditions for wellness, healing and ceremony, creating a bridge between the present and our ancestors. Indigenous educator and Elder Wayne Lalman will share traditional knowledge through tobacco teachings and interact with visitors throughout the day.
LIGHTING A SACRED FIRE FOR REFLECTION AND HEALING
BY KRISTIN MARAND
T he sacred fire will be maintained from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Indigenous designers, and community leaders to celebrate Indigenous culture. The garden is also the temporary home of the residential school totem pole, created by Kwakiutl artist Charles Joseph, which will eventually stand in Wehwehneh Bahgahkinahgohn, the Southern Chiefs’ Organization revitalization project in downtown Winnipeg. “We’ll be hosting the sacred fire in the fire node at the Indigenous People’s Garden, which is outside The Leaf,” explains Laura Cabak, director of communications and public relations for the Assiniboine Park Conservancy. “The Indigenous People’s Garden was very intentionally created and designed to be a welcoming space for People’s Garden at The Leaf. The Indigenous People’s Garden is a gathering place designed in collaboration with Indigenous Elders, Indigenous people that celebrates their culture and history, but also to provide a space for experiences to be shared.” “The fire node in particular is a space that really lends itself well to meaningful experiences and reflection. Welcoming people, all people, into that space on this day is a nice opportunity to give people the chance to reflect on the meaning of this day and why it’s important. To share what can be a really positive experience, as we all look for ways to move forward in a positive way, considering the really harmful impacts of the residential school system.” The attractions at Assiniboine Park, The Leaf, and the zoo will be open regular hours on September 30th, with a
portion of admission proceeds going towards supporting two Indigenous-led organizations. A minimum donation of $10,000 will be shared between the Orange Shirt Society and Ka Ni Kanichihk. “It’s a day of awareness, and we want people to treat it as such, but if people choose to come to The Leaf or the zoo on this day, we are donating 15 percent of sales from admissions to Indigenous-led organizations,” says Cabak. “The Orange Shirt Society is the organization behind the creation of Orange Shirt Day, which eventually became the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, and Ka Ni Kanichihk is a local organization. We have done this for a few years, and shared that donation with a few different organizations, and those are the two that we’ve chosen for this year.” Orange shirts, designed by Paige Spence, an Indigenous woman who interned at the Assiniboine Park Conservancy, will be available for purchase at Wild Things Unique Gifts located at the zoo entrance on Roblin Boulevard. The shirts cost $15 for children and $20 for adults. Orange lapel ribbons will also be offered to visitors with a suggested donation of $4, available at The Leaf, the fire node in the Indigenous People’s Garden and multiple locations within the zoo. One hundred percent of the proceeds of the shirts and lapel ribbons will be donated. In addition, park staff are invited to wear orange shirts or lapel ribbons as a gesture of solidarity and empathy on Monday, September 29th, and Tuesday, September 30th. For more information, visit assiniboinepark.ca/events. ▲
SUPPLIED PHOTOS
In honour of residential school Survivors, students, families and school communities, Winnipeg School Division acknowledges and reflects on the harmful past while continuing to cultivate paths together to The Good Life, Mino-Pimatisiwin. JOURNEY TO TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION
The College of Physicians & Surgeons of Manitoba (CPSM) acknowledges it has been 10 years since the Truth and Reconciliation Commission issued 94 Calls to Action. On June 21, CPSM launched a Restorative Practices Program with a sacred pipe ceremony. The Restorative Practices Program incorporates Indigenous philosophies with regulatory approaches. The program supports doctors, residents, clinical assistants, and physician assistants in building a foundation of trust and restoring relationships with patients. The Restorative Practices Program represents a step toward reconciliation, with a focus on healing and preventing future harm. Scan the QR code to learn more about the program and CPSM's actions toward reconciliation.
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 7
SUPPLEMENT TO THE FREE PRESS • SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2025
GUIDED WALKING TOURS OFFER CULTURALLY AUTHENTIC INDIGENOUS HISTORY OF THE FORKS The Forks has long been a popular destination for residents and visitors alike, a scenic locale with a colourful heritage that inspired a local company to begin sharing the site’s beauty and history with guests via guided walking tours. T urtle Tours was founded and international travellers. Fully accessible, the tours are offered seasonally at The Forks, with both summer and winter programming available. Ticket prices and details about
Smith. “They learn about treaty history, waterways as life systems, survival practices, foodways like pemmican, and figures like John “The Falcon” Tanner. They also hear about resilience: how people adapted, endured, and continue to thrive.” Interesting and educational, the tours give participants a chance to commune with nature while also taking steps along the path to reconciliation. “Reconciliation starts with truth,” says Smith. “Our tours open a space for honest conversation, where people can hear Indigenous perspectives that often haven’t been told in mainstream history. It’s a chance to listen, reflect, and understand – and that builds the respect reconciliation depends on.” Smith says public response to date has been very positive. “People often say the tour changes the way they see The Forks,” she says. “Educators tell us it helps bring Truth and Reconciliation to life for their students. Visitors from abroad say it’s the most meaningful part of their trip because it feels authentic and personal.” Offered Thursday to Saturday, The Forks walking tours run 45-60 minutes and can be enjoyed by participants of all ages and backgrounds, including students, families, community groups,
by Ashley Smith, who is also a lead tour guide and a descendant of John “The Falcon” Tanner, a cultural intermediary who lived and worked at The Forks. “His story, and the stories of our people, are part of why these tours began,” says Smith. “The Forks has always been a meeting place – people have gathered here for over 6,000 years. Those teachings and stories have been passed down orally in our communities, and I wanted to bring that living history into the heart of Winnipeg, opening those stories up to more people – visitors, newcomers, locals – so they could experience the land in a deeper way.” The tours are led by Indigenous youth who are also currently in school, learning Indigenous history in depth. Smith says the guides bring both the knowledge they are studying and the personal perspective of growing up connected to this land and community. This unique combination makes the tours “relatable and alive, blending classroom learning with oral storytelling and lived connection.” “Participants discover that The Forks has always been more than a park or a marketplace – it’s a place of survival and gathering,” says
all of the company’s unique, culturally authentic tours are available at www.turtletours.ca. “Turtle Tours isn’t just about walking from stop to stop; it’s about carrying a story forward,” says Smith. “We want people to leave with a sense of connection to this land and its history, something that stays with them long after the tour ends.” ▲
Interesting and educational, the tours give participants a chance to commune with nature while also taking steps along the path to reconciliation.
SUPPLIED PHOTOS
Recognize. Reflect. Honour.
CELEBRATING national day for truth and reconciliation
WAB KINEW YOUR MLA FOR FORT ROUGE Wab.Kinew@yourmanitoba.ca 204-615-1922
BERNADETTE SMITH YOUR MLA FOR POINT DOUGLAS Bernadette.Smith@yourmanitoba.ca 204-414-1477
NAHANNI FONTAINE YOUR MLA FOR ST. JOHNS Nahanni.Fontaine@yourmanitoba.ca 204-582-1550
MATT WIEBE YOUR MLA FOR CONCORDIA Matt.Wiebe@yourmanitoba.ca 204-654-1857
JIM MALOWAY YOUR MLA FOR ELMWOOD Jim.Maloway@yourmanitoba.ca 204-415-1122
LOGAN OXENHAM YOUR MLA FOR KIRKFIELD PARK Logan.Oxenham@yourmanitoba.ca 204-831-6689
TYLER BLASHKO YOUR MLA FOR LAGIMODIÈRE Tyler.Blashko@yourmanitoba.ca 204-583-7423
JD DEVGAN YOUR MLA FOR M C PHILLIPS JD.Devgan@yourmanitoba.ca 431-323-6014
JELYNN DELA CRUZ YOUR MLA FOR RADISSON Jelynn.DeLaCruz@yourmanitoba.ca 204-599-2080
MIKE MOYES YOUR MLA FOR RIEL Mike.Moyes@yourmanitoba.ca 204-421-4666
MIKE MOROZ YOUR MLA FOR RIVER HEIGHTS Mike.Moroz@yourmanitoba.ca 204-774-3669
TRACY SCHMIDT YOUR MLA FOR ROSSMERE Tracy.Schmidt@yourmanitoba.ca 204- 661-1377
BILLIE CROSS YOUR MLA FOR SEINE RIVER Billie.Cross@yourmanitoba.ca 431-323-6026
RENÉE CABLE YOUR MLA FOR SOUTHDALE Renee.Cable@yourmanitoba.ca 204-222-9038
ROBERT LOISELLE YOUR MLA FOR ST. BONIFACE Robert.Loiselle@yourmanitoba.ca 204-505-2800
ADRIEN SALA YOUR MLA FOR ST. JAMES Adrien.Sala@yourmanitoba.ca 204-792-8779
JAMIE MOSES YOUR MLA FOR ST. VITAL Jamie.Moses@yourmanitoba.ca 204-219-5407
RENÉE
MINTU SANDHU YOUR MLA FOR THE MAPLES Mintu.Sandhu@yourmanitoba.ca 204-417-3486
CARLA COMPTON YOUR MLA FOR TUXEDO Carla.Compton@yourmanitoba.ca 204-416-1140
DAVID PANKRATZ YOUR MLA FOR WAVERLEY David.Pankratz@yourmanitoba.ca 431-323-4891
LISA NAYLOR YOUR MLA FOR WOLSELEY Lisa.Naylor@yourmanitoba.ca 204-792-2773
SHANNON CORBETT YOUR MLA FOR TRANSCONA Shannon.Corbett@yourmanitoba.ca 204-219-1189
8 National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
SUPPLEMENT TO THE FREE PRESS • SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2025
Remember, Reconciliation Is Yours To Achieve. We owe it to each other to build a Canada based on our shared future, a future of healing and trust.
– Justice Murray Sinclair
Proud supporter of Indigenous voices.
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8Powered by FlippingBook