In the shadow of Parliament’s iconic Peace Tower, dozens of residential school survivors shared their stories yesterday, bringing powerful testimony directly to the heart of Canada’s democracy.
The gathering, organized by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation in partnership with local Indigenous communities, transformed Parliament Hill into a sacred space of remembrance, healing and education.
“Being here, standing on these grounds where so many decisions about our lives were made without our voices, feels both painful and powerful,” said Elder Mary Commanda, an Algonquin survivor from Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation.
The event coincided with the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, marking the third official commemoration since its establishment in 2021. Orange shirts dotted the landscape as hundreds of Ottawa residents joined Indigenous community members in solidarity.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attended briefly, acknowledging the government’s responsibility in the residential school system that operated for over a century. “The journey of reconciliation requires that we not only listen to these truths but that we act upon them,” Trudeau said before stepping back to allow survivors to command the day’s narrative.
For many Ottawa residents, the proximity of the event provided a rare opportunity to hear firsthand accounts of residential school experiences. Local teacher Samantha Reid brought her Grade 8 class from Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School to witness the testimonies.
“These aren’t just historical stories in textbooks anymore,” Reid explained. “My students are connecting with real people who experienced these injustices just kilometers from where we live and learn every day.”
The weather cooperated perfectly, with autumn sunshine warming the crowd as survivors from across Canada shared deeply personal histories that many had kept silent for decades.
John Sioui, a survivor from the Spanish Indian Residential School in Ontario, described how meaningful it felt to have his story heard on Parliament Hill. “For too long, these buildings represented a government that tried to erase who we were. Today, we reclaim this space with our truths,” he said.
The testimonies revealed common themes of family separation, cultural disconnection, and various forms of abuse. But equally present were stories of resilience, cultural revitalization and the ongoing healing journey many survivors continue to navigate.
Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe addressed the gathering, pledging the city’s commitment to implementing relevant Truth and Reconciliation Commission calls to action at the municipal level. “As the capital city, we have a special responsibility to model what reconciliation looks like in practice,” Sutcliffe noted.
Local organizations including the Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health and Minwaashin Lodge provided support services throughout the day, recognizing the emotional weight carried by those sharing and hearing these accounts.
The event featured traditional ceremonies, drumming, and dance performances between testimonies, creating space for cultural celebration alongside the difficult truths being shared.
“This isn’t just about acknowledging past wrongs,” explained Claudette Commanda, an Elder from Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation and special advisor to the University of Ottawa. “It’s about creating understanding that leads to genuine change in how Canada relates to Indigenous peoples today and tomorrow.”
For Ottawa’s Indigenous communities, having this national event in their traditional territories held special significance. The unceded Algonquin land that Parliament occupies served as a powerful backdrop for discussions about land rights, sovereignty and the ongoing impacts of colonization.
The day concluded with a sacred fire ceremony as the evening settled over the Ottawa River. Survivors and allies gathered in a final circle, the Peace Tower illuminated in orange behind them—a symbol of both how far Canada has come and the distance still to travel on the path to reconciliation.
As participants dispersed across downtown Ottawa, many carried conversation cards distributed at the event, designed to help continue these important dialogues in homes, schools and workplaces throughout the capital region.
The Parliament Hill gathering represents just one of many Truth and Reconciliation events happening across Ottawa this week, with community centers, libraries, and educational institutions hosting related programming through October 7th.
