Truth & Reconciliation Ceremony
On September 30, Southport held a ceremony and commemoration for the inaugural National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. The ceremony took place at the new Four Winds Cultural Centre, located in Southport's Interpretive Park, across from the Southport Office.
The day began with a traditional Pipe Ceremony and blessing, performed by Darryl Taylor, Knowledge Keeper, and Cornell Pashe, Indigenous Community Coordinator of Portage Community Revitalization Corporation (PCRC).
Following the Pipe Ceremony, speeches were made honoring National Day of Truth and Reconciliation by Doug McLennan, Chair, Southport Board of Directors, Irvine Ferris, Mayor, City of Portage la Prairie, Peggy May, CEO, Southport Aerospace Inc., Eric Pashe, Chief, Dakota Tipi First Nation, Donny Smoke, Chief of Dakota Plains First Nation, and Cornell Pashe, Indigenous Community Coordinator, PCRC.
During the ceremony, Peggy May, CEO, Southport Aerospace Inc., and Colby Orchard, Director, FAcT Engagement, were asked to join Darryl Taylor, Knowledge Keeper, and were honoured by two elders, survivors of Residential Schools, with sacred eagle feathers.
Indigenous artists, Dakota Hostiles and Lydia Gork, attended the ceremony offering songs in prayer while those in attendance were asked to stand and join an honouring circle to participate in a group smudge and traditional tobacco offering.
The ceremony concluded with Jacinda Houle, wearing a traditional Jingle Dress, blessing the grounds with dance while a Thank You song was performed. Following the formal proceedings, a feast was offered to all dignitaries and guests.
