Today is Canada’s first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. It is our day to reflect on and aim to improve on the way we treat the indigenous people on whose ancestral lands we live. I was delighted to be able to mark the day here in North Vancouver by attending the Tsleil-Waututh Nation’s walk from their reserve on Dollarton Highway to the site of St Paul’s residential school. The Algonquins of Pikwàkanagàn, who live at the other end of the Pembroke branch, in Golden Lake, marked the day with a community video and feast.
For Truth and Reconciliation Day, I would love to find more stories of the Algonquins of Pikwàkanagàn, especially those told in their own voices. This year, I have the story of Joey Commanda, who escaped from the Mohawk Institute residential school in 1968. Sadly he was killed by a train after having walked 100 km of the 450 km journey he had begun. This year, his family organized a walk along the same path.
Indian Country Today has the most complete report on the story I’ve found so far, while the video below on YouTube includes interviews with Joey’s friend, sister and brother.
Image Credit: Indian Country Today
Pembroke:87 
Thank you for sharing this, Rene.