By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
On Monday, Sept. 30, the community gathered for the “Every Child Matters” march, part of Truth and Reconciliation Week, to honour the children who never returned home from residential schools and to support survivors. This followed a regional worship service on Sunday at Lennoxville United Church (LUC), where local United Church congregations came together to celebrate Truth and Reconciliation Sunday.
Marching for truth and reconciliation
The “Every Child Matters” march, organized by Bishop’s University’s Indigenous Student Support Centre, served as a public tribute to the lost children and survivors of the residential school system. Held on Orange Shirt Day, the march drew participants from across the region, dressed in orange as a symbol of remembrance and solidarity.
The event began at 12:30 p.m. at Parc Jacques-Cartier in Sherbrooke with ceremonial songs and speeches. By 2 p.m., marchers were moving through the streets, heading toward Marché de la Gare. Many carried signs and banners bearing messages of hope and reconciliation, as they paid tribute to those impacted by the residential school system.
Phyllis Webstad’s story of having her new orange shirt taken away on her first day at a residential school continues to resonate with communities across Canada, symbolizing the profound loss Indigenous children experienced. The march is part of a broader effort to ensure the history of residential schools is remembered and that reconciliation remains a priority.
