Reclaiming September in strength and solidarity: Southern Chiefs’ Organization

Orange Shirt Day was marked in Winnipeg with multiple events, including a powwow and a healing walk.

Downtown Winnipeg showed the meaning of honouring and remembering the survivors of residential school system and the children who never came back.

On Tuesday, the Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO) hosted its fifth annual Orange Shirt Day Healing Walk and Pow Wow. The event began with a pipe ceremony at the Oodena Circle, followed by a healing walk and grand entry into the pow wow.

“For generations, September was a time of pain,” Grand Chief Jerry Daniels said in a media release. “Now, we gather to reclaim this month in strength and solidarity.”

One of the attendees was Ashley Hawkes, and she told CTV News the importance of this event to her.

“Just being a settler and an ally. I want to make sure that this day and all children are recognized, and no one deserves to be forgotten,” Hawkes said.

Others seen at the event were Marcus Daniels and Rayanne Redhead. Daniels attended the event, wearing his regalia passed down from his late uncle.

“The regalia – it is a storytelling dance … I do this for myself, my own healing, I also like to bring my family closer together with this regalia. It is a powerful outfit that I wear, especially for my family,” Daniels said.

Redhead wore a dress that signifies her family’s healing.

“My grandpa – he passed it down to me. It means a lot to me … now I wear it with pride and dignity.”

Community Helpers Unite, a not-for-profit organization, served 1,500 free meals including beef stew, berry crisp and baked Bannock. CEO of the organization Brandy Bobier said last year they ran out in about an hour and a half.

“We do this because we want to feed the community. We want to take as many people who are food insecure as possible and give them that food security, they need through our free meal and cheap meal program.”