Sunrise Ceremony and Water Walk at Black Creek Pioneer Village

Come join Dr. Gokoomis (Grandmother) Jacque/line Lavallée and Gokoomis Grandmother Vivian Recollet for Sunrise Ceremony and Water Walk in honour of Truth and Reconciliation Day.

Thank you for registering for the Sunrise Ceremony commemorating the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30 at Black Creek Pioneer Village. We are grateful to be able to join together, reflect, and learn on this important day that honours the children who never returned home and Survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities.

Where to go: The Village is located at 1000 Murray Ross Parkway in Toronto

Map link: https://g.page/Black-Creek-Pioneer-Village-ON?share

Local traffic has been heavy during the morning commute so please be sure to leave yourself ample time. The Village is about a 15 minute walk west from the Pioneer Village TTC station.

If you are driving, please enter the code 26913 when you enter and exit the parking lot.

What time to arrive:

The ceremony will begin at 8:00 a.m. and will take place in the village

Once you have arrived, please proceed to the Visitor Centre, just off the parking lot. A staff member will be at the front doors to let you in beginning at 7:30 a.m. They will be there until 7:55 a.m. As the doors will be locked before 7:30 and after 7:55, please time your arrival accordingly and be sure to bring everything with you from your car that you will need. From the Visitor Centre, you will be directed to the ceremony location adjacent to the wiigiwaam.

What to bring:

The ceremony will last approximately 2 hours and take place in two locations. At times, we have the option to sit. Please bring a compact camping chair or small blanket with you. We will have a limited number of folding chairs available.

Please keep in mind that we will be gathering together on grass and on a gravel road when you are selecting your footwear. As we will be outside for the entire ceremony, please dress for the weather.

If you have an orange shirt, we encourage you to wear it. If not, please do not be concerned as your presence and willingness to listen is the most important thing.

What to expect:

The ceremony takes place in two locations. First, we will gather for a Sacred Fire ceremony. Following this, we will walk together to the banks of the Black Creek for a Water Ceremony. We will then return to the fire for closing.

As part of the ceremony, you will be presented with strawberries, candy, and water to consume. Please let Wendy Rowney ([email protected]) know if you have any allergies, sensitivities, or questions related to the food consumption.

We look forward to seeing you on September 30 and are pleased that we can come together to recognize and reflect upon this important day.

Host or Publisher TRCA